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Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall joined AARP, the Wilmington Police Department, and United Way NC/NC 211 to launch a statewide effort to help prevent bitcoin and cryptocurrency ATM scams. Victims of these scams can lose well over $100,000, and the money lost is extremely difficult to recover.
Cryptocurrency ATMs, or crypto ATMs, can be found throughout North Carolina, often near convenience stores, gas stations, or smoke shops. Scams happen when scammers direct their targets to use the crypto ATM to transfer cash or money from their bank account into cryptocurrency, and then send that cryptocurrency to a scammer’s account. Once a scammer has that cryptocurrency, they can exchange it back to cash and keep it.
Scammers nearly always seek to form emotional or romantic relationships with their targets. They will often target older people who ae more vulnerable and less likely to report losses to authorities.
The Department of Justice, Secretary of State, AARP, and United Way NC/NC 211 are working with law enforcement and businesses to help spread awareness about these scams and to help people recognize the signs of these scams so they can intervene.
Here’s what to look out for:
•An older adult is using the crypto ATM while someone on the phone is talking to them.
•An older adult tells you they need to withdraw cash immediately from their bank account to send to someone who called them.
•Someone says a government official (ex. law enforcement) told them to pay a fine with crypto. Remind them that the government NEVER accepts crypto as payment.
•Anyone who is acting stressed, scared, or emotional may be receiving threats.
[News release courtesy of N.C. Department of Justice]
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