(WBRE/WYOU) — Attorney General Dave Sunday warns Pennsylvanians about the rise in Bitcoin scams as multiple incidents have been reported.
Over $100,000 was stolen between two people in recent Bitcoin scams in Lackawanna and Pike Counties.
The scams involve Bitcoin ATMs, or BTMs to gain access to your money.
Scammers persuade people by convincing them to make large cash withdrawals after saying to “protect your money” or “take care of any criminal charges”.
Once the cash is withdrawn the scammer will tell you to deposit your money in a Bitcoin ATM, have you scan a code where the criminal gets access to your funds, and in most cases, make it impossible to get your money back according to the Attorney General’s Office.
“Scammers will try alarm, scare, and persuade you to take sudden action — before you are able to stop and realize you are being scammed,” said Attorney General Sunday.
The Attorney General’s Office has some tips on how to protect yourself from these scams:
Never click on links or respond directly to unexpected calls, text messages, emails, or computer pop-ups. If you think the message could be legitimate, you should contact the company or agency directly. Never call the number provided in the message: go directly to the agency or company website to find contact information.
Slow down! Scammers want to rush you, so stop and check it out. Before you make any moves, talk with someone you trust. Real law enforcement and real bank personnel would never rush you. If a scammer insists you remain on the phone or instructs you to mislead your bank or financial institution, it is a scam.
Never withdraw cash in response to an unexpected call or message. Only scammers will request that you pay vast amounts of money in cash. Never send money through a Bitcoin ATM.
Real businesses and government agencies would never ask for payment in Bitcoin, gift cards, or through wiring money – anyone who asks for funds this way is likely a scammer.
Urge your bank to put more protections in place to prevent these scams. Bank employees often know how to spot a scam because people rarely withdraw large sums of cash. The bank has the right to refuse a withdrawal if they suspect you may be a victim of fraud. If your bank asks you questions about a transaction, they are trying to keep your money and information safe.
If you believe you were a target of fraud or a scam you can contact the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection online, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the Office at 1-800-441-2555.
