Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall have teamed up with AARP, the Wilmington Police Department, and United Way NC/NC 211 to launch an initiative aimed at preventing bitcoin and cryptocurrency ATM scams in North Carolina. Victims of such scams can suffer significant financial losses, sometimes exceeding $100,000.
“We’re hearing devastating reports of people losing their life savings through a crypto ATM scam,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “That’s why we’re working with partners across the state to help people recognize the signs of these scams. We want to help people protect their money from scammers.”
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall highlighted the scale of the issue: “With annual losses in cryptocurrency-related financial fraud approaching $6 billion, the Secretary of State’s Office is proud to join forces with these great partner agencies in raising public awareness. It’s crucial that North Carolina’s investing public have the tools to spot, stop and report scams related to cryptocurrency ATMs.”
David Kirkman, an AARP volunteer, emphasized the importance of education: “When it comes to scams, one of the largest common denominators is the payment method where people are asked to pay in bitcoin making it nearly impossible to recover any money lost. That’s why increased education and awareness is vital.”
Brittany Pruitt Fletcher from United Way NC/NC 211 explained how they assist residents: “At 211, we’re seeing firsthand how scammers are evolving—and how quickly they’re targeting vulnerable North Carolinians through tactics like cryptocurrency ATM fraud. By calling 211, residents can speak with trained specialists who can guide them through suspicious situations and connect them with law enforcement or consumer protection agencies.”
Crypto ATMs are often found near convenience stores or gas stations throughout North Carolina. Scammers typically instruct victims to use these ATMs for transferring cash into cryptocurrency before sending it to a scammer’s account.
The collaborative effort involves multiple organizations including the Department of Justice and aims at spreading awareness about recognizing such scams.
