Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance uncovers $855,000 in stolen benefits, blames federal government for not doing more

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance has announced that they have recently uncovered a large-scale skimming fraud scheme in the federal SUN Bucks program, which helps families afford food for their children when school is closed during the summer. 

“This event is part of a national trend of large-scale skimming targeting residents using EBT cards in every state over the past few years. Despite the nature of these crimes occurring across state lines and involving the theft of federally funded benefits, the federal government has largely remained unaccountable for stopping organized criminal entities from targeting low-income people. Their inaction continues to impact residents of Massachusetts.”  

Massachusetts launched the SUN Bucks program for Summer 2026 on June 1 and, almost immediately, DTA identified the theft and took action to protect residents from further theft. DTA states that they reported it to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and United States Department of Agriculture. 

“We know that families struggle during the summer when they lose access to the school breakfast and lunch that their kids depend on. The SUN Bucks program is a crucial lifeline for those families to make sure that no child goes hungry just because school is closed,” said DTA Commissioner Michael Cole. “I’m proud that DTA’s strong fraud detection system worked as intended, discovered this fraud and put a stop to it before it could get worse. There must be a full investigation into this, and anyone found responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In Massachusetts, we have always worked hard to prevent fraud and theft and make sure that our most vulnerable families receive the benefits they deserve from this federal program. We need the federal government to be a partner in that work as well.” 

DTA believes that there was a total of approximately 10,000 fraudulent transactions totaling approximately $855,000 in stolen federal benefits. 

SUN Bucks is a federally authorized program that provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer months. Children are eligible if they were enrolled in a National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program school during the 2025-2026 school year and received SNAP, DTA cash benefits, certain MassHealth coverage, SSI with a relative caregiver, or were in foster care. Benefits are issued on a separate SUN Bucks EBT card and cannot be loaded onto an existing SNAP EBT card. Families are reminded to regularly change their PINs and lock and unlock their cards to protect their benefits from unauthorized use. 

Massachusetts is on track to become the fourth state in the country to implement chip and tap-enabled EBT cards, which will enhance security measures to better prevent theft across the system, including for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

DTA has previously taken significant action to detect and prevent benefit theft and safeguard client benefits, including: 

• Implementing card lock/unlock technology using DTA Connect mobile application and the Cardholder Customer Service Line.   
• Providing an EBT card safety flyer with every EBT card issued that contains information on how to lock/unlock cards, as well as frequently change the PIN. 
• Educating clients on card safety and encouraging regular changing of their EBT card PIN to enhance security, and forcing re-pinning when there was known high-risk for stolen PINs. 
• Producing educational materials on protecting your EBT card and identifying scams (informational videos, flyers, and more) in multiple languages, available on mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT 
• Engaging retailers and retail associations through outreach and education on benefit theft schemes and patterns, and partnering with law enforcement on information sharing. 

DTA states that fraud prevention is a critical responsibility for all DTA staff.

“DTA uses eligibility interviews and verification to ensure accurate initial determinations. DTA constantly leverages advanced data analytics and tools to detect and resolve potential program integrity risks. When issues are identified, DTA conducts non-criminal fraud investigations, disqualifies individuals for program violations, refers cases for prosecution, calculates overpayments and establishes claims for repayment.” 

DTA operates a fraud hotline via phone and email inbox where anybody can submit a referral for investigation. Suspected fraudulent activity is investigated through dedicated program integrity and law enforcement partnerships. DTA also actively partners with State Auditor’s Office Bureau of Special Investigation and the Office of the Inspector General on program integrity initiatives.  

DTA says that while Massachusetts continues to enhance systems for identifying and preventing skimming, the federal government must do more to systemically address the issue. Additionally, the federal government must replace the benefits stolen from Massachusetts residents. 

Anyone is able to report fraud to DTA online using this form, by email DTA.ReportFraud@MassMail.State.MA.US, or by phone using DTA’s Fraud Hotline at 800-372-8399.   

Residents who have been targeted by skimming can find out how to report theft to DTA here. Families needing assistance with food resources should call the Project Bread Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.