North Carolina AG Warns of Bitcoin Kiosk Scams as State Sees Surge in Victims

A recent incident in Wilmington, North Carolina, highlights the growing concern over bitcoin kiosk scams in the state. A police officer intervened when a 90-year-old woman was about to deposit $10,000 at a bitcoin ATM.

The officer's quick thinking prevented a potential loss of thousands of dollars for the victim. However, this incident is not an isolated case, as North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson notes that there are over 1,600 such machines across the state, and they have become a common target for scammers.

According to Jackson, these scams often involve convincing victims that their bank account or credit card information has been compromised, and they need to pay a fee to resolve the issue. Scammers typically demand payment in bitcoin, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, which is a clear red flag, according to Jackson.

Jackson emphasizes that no legitimate business or government agency will ever ask for payment via these methods. To prevent further losses, a new bill has been proposed, capping crypto machine transactions at $2,000 for first-time users. This measure aims to limit the damage caused by such scams.