25-02-2025
Bitcoin ATM scams on the rise: Pennsylvania Attorney General
(WHTM) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning the public of the recent rise in scams involving Bitcoin ATMS.
According to Sunday, scammers use Bitcoin ATMs, or 'BTMS,' to gain access to victim's money by coercing victims into depositing money into BTMs. Sunday said scammers will target victims with messaging like 'protect your money' and 'take care of any criminal charges.'
According to Sunday, scammers will convince victims to make large cash withdrawals, deposit the funds into a Bitcoin ATM, and then scan and send a QR code. Sunday says this will give criminals access to the funds, making it impossible to get the money back.
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Similar scams tend to start with a telephone call, text, social media message, or email per Sunday.
'Scammers will try to alarm, scare, and persuade you to take sudden action before you are able to stop and realize you are being scammed,' Attorney General Sunday said. 'My office is offering advice on how to protect yourself from these elaborate deceptions.'
To avoid being scammed, potential victims should never click links or respond to unexpected calls or messages.
Sunday said victims should ask their banks to put more protections in place to prevent scams.
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