Be careful with those new Crypto ATM machines

I did a count of crypto ATM machines on Oahu - there are now 20! A crypto ATM lets you buy or sell cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum using cash, a debit card, or a digital wallet, similar to how a regular ATM handles money but for digital currency.

Why is this a problem? Because scammers are pretending to be a banks, government agencies, tech support workers and even a company executives, then pressure our local community to withdraw cash, go to a crypto ATM and then send them our money. The problem is that once the crypto is sent through the ATM, the transfer is almost instant, hard to reverse and difficult to trace. It's why the scammers are using them heavily and they are winning.

A new PSA released by the FBI this week highlights that over $388 million was lost to crypto ATM scams last year. I'm positive that number is much higher because many victims are too embarrassed, overwhelmed, or unsure where to report the crime.

The Takeaway

What can you do before tutu runs out the door in a panic with a purse full of cash because a scammer is running their playbook?

1. Never use a crypto ATM because someone on the phone, by email, or by text told you to. Banks, government agencies, police departments, tech support companies, and legitimate businesses will not ask you to send money through a crypto ATM.

   
   

2. If someone says the situation is urgent, secret, or that you will be arrested, fined, fired, or locked out of an account unless you act right away, stop right there. Scammers use fear and pressure to keep you from slowing down and checking whether their request is real.

   
   

3. Always verify with a trusted source before sending money. Hang up, look up the official phone number yourself, contact your bank directly, or ask a trusted family member, coworker, or IT/security professional before doing anything.

The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report shows just how widespread cybercrime has become, with more than 1 million complaints filed through the Internet Crime Complaint Center and nearly $21 billion in reported losses tied to scams such as investment fraud, tech support fraud, and business email compromise.

Share this email with friends, family and coworkers because the more people know what to watch for, the safer our whole community becomes.

Stay safe out there.

-Attila