- The rule: no bank, police department, government agency, or tech support company will ever ask you to pay with a crypto ATM. Anyone who does is a scammer.
- 2025 losses: more than 13,400 complaints and $388 million lost through crypto kiosks, up 58% from 2024 (FBI IC3).
- Older adults are the main target: people over 50 filed more than half the complaints and lost over $302 million.
- If you paid: call the kiosk operator and your bank right away, then report it to ic3.gov and the FTC.
How Crypto ATM Scams Work
A crypto ATM, or kiosk, lets you insert cash and send Bitcoin or another coin to a wallet address, usually by scanning a QR code. Once the coins are sent, the transaction can't be reversed. That's why scammers love them.
- The hook. A call, text, or pop-up claims your bank account was hacked, your Social Security number was used in a crime, there's a warrant for your arrest, or your computer is infected.
- The pressure. You're told to act now, stay on the phone, and not tell anyone, including bank staff.
- The cash. You're coached to withdraw cash, often in several trips, and told what to say if the teller asks questions.
- The kiosk. The scammer sends you to a nearby machine, often in a gas station or convenience store, and texts you a QR code to scan. That code is the scammer's wallet.
- The repeat. Once you've paid, they come back with a new reason to pay again.
Common Crypto ATM Scam Scripts
| Scam | What they say |
|---|---|
| Bank or fraud department | "Your account is compromised. Move your money to a safe account through this machine." |
| Government or police | "There's a warrant in your name. Pay the fine in Bitcoin to avoid arrest." |
| Tech support | "Your computer was hacked and your savings are exposed. We'll protect them." |
| Utility company | "Your power will be cut off in an hour unless you pay now." |
| Romance or investment | "Use the Bitcoin machine to fund your trading account" or "send money so I can visit." |
| Grandparent or family emergency | "Your grandson is in jail and needs bail. Don't tell his parents." |
Crypto ATM Scams by the Numbers
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported for 2025:
- More than 13,400 complaints involving crypto kiosks, up 23% from 2024.
- Over $388 million in losses, up 58%.
- More than half of complaints came from people over 50, with losses over $302 million.
- Texas, Florida, and California together filed over 3,300 complaints and reported more than $112 million in losses.
Kiosk losses are a slice of a bigger problem: the IC3 logged about $11.4 billion in crypto-related fraud losses in 2025. Real losses are higher, because many victims never report.
State Crypto ATM Laws in 2026
States have moved quickly. Thirty-five have passed crypto kiosk laws since 2023, 18 of them in 2026. Common protections include:
- Daily limits. California caps kiosk transactions at $1,000 per customer per day, and Wisconsin also limits daily transactions to $1,000. Virginia allows $2,000 a day for new customers and $5,000 for existing ones.
- Fraud warnings on the machine screen and signage.
- Refund rights for some fraud victims who report quickly.
- Licensing of operators and screening of wallet addresses linked to fraud.
- Bans. Indiana became the first state to ban crypto kiosks entirely, signed March 9, 2026, and a handful of other states have moved to ban or nearly eliminate them. Some cities, such as Spokane, Washington, and St. Paul, Minnesota, have local bans.
Limits slow scammers down, but they don't stop them. Victims are often coached to visit several machines over several days.
Warning Signs
- Anyone tells you to pay with a crypto ATM, gift cards, or a wire to a "safe account."
- The caller insists you stay on the line or keep it secret from your bank or family.
- You're given a QR code to scan at the machine.
- You're told what to say to the bank teller.
- The caller ID shows a real bank or agency number. Caller ID is easy to fake.
What to Do If You Were Scammed
- Stop paying and hang up. Don't respond to new calls or texts from the scammer.
- Call the kiosk operator using the number on the machine or your receipt. Some states require refunds for recent fraud, and operators can sometimes freeze funds that haven't moved.
- Call your bank about the cash withdrawals, and ask them to flag your account.
- Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include receipts, the wallet address, transaction IDs, and phone numbers.
- File a police report with your local department.
- Beware of recovery scams. People who promise to get your crypto back for an upfront fee are almost always running a second scam.
How to Protect Older Family Members
- Say it plainly: "No real bank, police officer, or government agency will ever ask you to put money in a Bitcoin machine."
- Agree on a family rule: no one sends money because of an unexpected call without first calling a family member.
- Set up a code word for real family emergencies.
- Ask the bank about alerts for large cash withdrawals and a trusted contact on the account.
For more scam patterns, read how to spot a Bitcoin scam.
Crypto ATM Scam FAQ
Can you get money back from a Bitcoin ATM scam?
Sometimes, if you act fast. Call the kiosk operator immediately, because some states now require refunds for recent fraud and operators can occasionally freeze funds. Once crypto reaches the scammer's wallet and moves on, recovery is rare. Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov.
Would a bank ever ask me to use a Bitcoin ATM?
No. No bank, government agency, police department, utility, or tech support company will ask you to pay or protect money through a crypto ATM. Anyone who does is a scammer.
How much money was lost to crypto ATM scams?
The FBI's IC3 received more than 13,400 complaints involving crypto kiosks in 2025, with losses over $388 million, up 58% from 2024. People over 50 accounted for more than half of complaints.
Which states ban crypto ATMs?
Indiana became the first state to ban crypto kiosks outright, in March 2026, and a few other states have since moved to ban or nearly eliminate them. Many more states, including California, Virginia, and Wisconsin, set daily limits instead.
Are crypto ATMs legal?
Yes, in most states, but operators must usually be licensed as money transmitters, and many states now require fraud warnings and daily limits. Using one isn't illegal; sending money to someone who called you out of the blue is the danger.
Sources
Written by Asad Shaikh
Founder of StartCryptoNow. Nine years researching, trading, and teaching crypto; BSCS from Virtual University of Pakistan. Every tax figure is checked against IRS and state revenue publications. Our editorial policy.