New bitcoin ATM scam sweeping the nation

New bitcoin ATM scam sweeping the nation:

In 2025, Americans lost over $333 million to bitcoin ATM scams—up from ~$250 million in 2024—according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Over 12,000 complaints were logged in 2025 alone, highlighting a rapid and concerning rise.

Recent Victim Examples:
Massachusetts residents lost at least $77 million to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025, with $11 million in Essex County alone.

• 85-year-old Janice Peltz of Chelmsford, Ma. received a call about supposed fraud with her TD Bank account. Under the influence of urgency, she withdrew $18,000 and drove to a Bitcoin Depot ATM in Lowell. Depositing the cash in small bills over approximately three hours, she described feeling “hypnotized,” and the money was lost once submitted.
• Police in Lakeville and Raynham prevented a scammer from stealing $20,000 from a 73-year-old woman just before the funds were deposited into a Bitcoin ATM
• Waltham and Gloucester have moved to ban Bitcoin ATMs following hundreds of complaints and tens of millions lost by local residents.• Fran Bates (Texas): Lost $40,000 after a fake bank call.
  • Arizona victims: Four people lost $118,000 in 4 days.
  • Vietnam War veteran (Florida): Thousands lost before police intervened.

How Scammers Do It
Victims receive fraudulent calls or pop-ups claiming to be from the IRS, tech support, or even loved ones in distress—often hacked or with AI-generated voices. They’re told there’s a problem that needs an immediate bitcoin ATM payment.

Scammers direct their victims to bitcoin ATMs, commonly located in convenience stores, where funds are converted to crypto and sent to wallets that are almost impossible to trace or reverse.

Unfortunately, these scammers are targeting seniors: Elderly individuals, particularly those 60 and older, are disproportionately affected, thanks to their perceived vulnerability.

Why Recovery Is Nearly Impossible
Once cash is converted to crypto and sent, it cannot be retrieved. With 45,000+ bitcoin ATMs in the U.S. and limited consumer protection, recovery options are practically non-existent.  Lawsuits (one being D.C. vs. Athena Bitcoin) are emerging, as operators may profit from fraud while warnings fail to prevent victims.

5 Scam Prevention Tips:
• Never pay with cryptocurrency for unsolicited requests.

• Verify calls by contacting official numbers independently.
• Talk to family or a trusted friend before acting.
• Ignore pop-ups or emails demanding urgent payment.
• Report suspicious activity to local authorities and the FTC

The median loss in crypto scams is around $5,400, significantly higher than other fraud. Regulatory action is rising—some jurisdictions are proposing transaction caps, stricter warnings, or even bans on bitcoin ATMs.

Bottom Line
Bitcoin ATM scams are booming, exploiting the speed, anonymity, and lack of regulation of cryptocurrency. Stay alert: no legitimate agency will demand crypto payments via ATM, especially under pressure. Always confirm independently and never let urgency drive your actions.