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Bitcoin ATM scams: "Deposit cash to protect your money"

Updated October 16, 2026. By the AskBeforeYouSend editorial team (how we fact-check). Fact-checked against the official sources listed at the bottom.

Short answer: Anyone who tells you to put cash into a Bitcoin or crypto ATM is a scammer. The FTC says real businesses and government agencies will never tell you to use a Bitcoin ATM to protect your money or fix a problem. The FBI's IC3 got more than 13,400 complaints involving crypto kiosks in 2025, with losses over $388 million.

Key facts

2025 crypto kiosk complaints to IC3 rose 23% and losses rose 58% from 2024. More than half came from people over 50 (FBI, May 2026).
In the first half of 2024, the median reported Bitcoin ATM loss was $10,000, and people 60+ were more than three times as likely as younger adults to report a loss (FTC).
Oklahoma: 166 crypto kiosk complaints and about $3.7 million in losses reported to IC3 in 2025.

What it looks like

Go to the Bitcoin machine at the gas station on Main Street. Put in the $9,000 cash and scan the QR code I'm texting you. Stay on the phone with me the whole time and don't tell the cashier.

A made-up example based on the step-by-step instructions the FBI describes.

How the scam works

A call or message says there's a problem: a hacked bank account, suspicious Amazon charges, or your name linked to a crime.
They tell you to withdraw cash from your bank or retirement account.
They stay on the phone, guide you to a crypto ATM, and have you scan a QR code they send. The money goes straight to their wallet.

Red flags

Anyone telling you to withdraw cash because of a call or message
A QR code someone sent you to use at a kiosk
Being told to stay on the phone and not tell anyone
"The government only accepts crypto"

What to do now

Stop and hang up. Never withdraw cash because of an unexpected call.
Call your bank using the number on your card.
If the kiosk operator warns you a payment looks like fraud, stop or cancel it (FBI).
If you already paid, keep every receipt, then file a police report and report it to IC3 with the transaction ID, wallet address and kiosk location.

Never send money, gift cards, crypto or verification codes because of a call, text or message. Hang up and call the real number.

Check a message like this

Report it

Report to the FBI (IC3): Best if money was lost or it happened online. Have the scammer's name, phone, email, website and the full message ready.

Report to the FTC: For any scam, even if you didn't lose money. Takes about 10 minutes.

Call the number on the back of your card

Questions

Can I get money back from a Bitcoin ATM?

It's very hard, because crypto payments usually can't be reversed. Act fast anyway: keep the receipt, file a report with your local police, and report it to IC3, and include the transaction ID and wallet address.

Would police or a government agency ever want payment through a crypto kiosk?

No. The FBI says no real law enforcement or government official will call to demand payment through a cryptocurrency kiosk.

Sources

Example messages are made up to show the pattern unless we say otherwise. Phone numbers in examples use the fictional 555 range.

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