Montana Targets Crypto Kiosk Scams Ahead of 2027 Legislative Session

AARP Montana is taking steps to protect older residents from cryptocurrency kiosk fraud ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The organization has noted that Montanans lost a record $53 million to cybercrime in 2025, with cryptocurrency-related fraud being a major driver of this spike.

Cryptocurrency kiosks allow users to buy cryptocurrency using cash and are often found at convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. However, these machines have become a preferred tool for scammers due to their lack of safeguards compared to banks and credit unions.

Legitimate transactions can be made online without the need for kiosks, leading policymakers and consumer advocates to question whether the benefits of these machines outweigh the risks they create for consumers. The pattern of scams typically involves a criminal posing as a government official or other authority figure, who then convinces the victim to withdraw cash and feed it into the kiosk.

AARP Montana State Director Tim Summers noted that 'The rapid growth of cryptocurrency kiosk fraud should concern anyone who cares about protecting Montana consumers.' The organization is working with lawmakers, law enforcement, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders to shape policy that gives Montanans real protection against this fraud without losing sight of legitimate uses for the technology.