Pennsylvania is driving new awareness against Bitcoin ATM scams in a new caution to the community.
By Godfrey Benjamin
Edited by Marco T. Lanz
Updated
3 mins read
Attorney General Dave Sunday has issued a clear warning to residents of Pennsylvanians, informing them of the activities of scammers who utilize Bitcoin ATMs or BTMs. The scammers are coming after consumers, armed with their personal information, including bank or financial institution details.
Sunday noted that this kind of scam usually starts with a phone call, text message, email, or even a message on social media platforms. At other times, it could be an alert on the user’s computer.
“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 explained. “My office is offering advice on how to protect yourself from these elaborate deceptions.”
These bad actors reach out to their victims in the guise of looking out for them. They send instant messages like “protect your money” and “take care of any criminal charges” while perpetrating illicit activities.
They then begin to coerce consumers into making large cash withdrawals. Scammers encourage crypto users to deposit their funds in a Bitcoin ATM to complete the transaction.
Once this deposit is done, the cybercriminals request that the consumer scan and send a QR code. This singular act gives the criminals unhindered access to the funds and, in most cases, makes it impossible for victims to recover their crypto assets.
The lawyer believes that residents of Pennsylvania can avoid falling victim to these Bitcoin ATM scams. Hence, he shared some tips they may adapt to stay safe.
Firstly, he advised crypto users against clicking links or responding directly to unexpected calls, texts, emails, or computer pop-ups. Attorney Sunday said it is advisable to contact the agency or company website.
Also, he advised consumers to exercise more patience when conducting transactions, citing that law enforcement and bank personnel would never rush any individual when requesting information. Similarly, the Attorney General stated that real businesses and government agencies would not request payment in Bitcoin BTC $83 829 24h volatility: 3.9% Market cap: $1.66 T Vol. 24h: $31.89 B , gift cards, or through money transfers.
Ultimately, crypto users are advised to exercise caution when transacting online. They have been urged to avoid phishing links or emails to avoid becoming scam victims.
Globally, several law enforcement agencies are establishing structures to protect residents in their jurisdiction against Bitcoin ATMs and related crypto scams. Less than a week ago, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the replacement of the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit with the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU).
This newly established CETU offshoot consists of up to 30 fraud specialists responsible for protecting retail investors from bad actors in emerging technologies.
Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) saved several Americans from losing their hard-earned money via a new initiative dubbed Operation Level Up. About $285 million in losses were recovered from scams between January 2024 and January 2025.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalist who relishes writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desire to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain media and sites.
