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AARP Delaware Backs House Bill 441 to Protect Residents from Crypto ATM Scams
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AARP Delaware offered strong support for House Bill 441, legislation aimed at protecting residents, particularly older adults, from financial fraud linked to cryptocurrency kiosks. The legislation called for a ban on these kiosks because it is far too easy for people to be scammed by them. AARP Delaware plans to continue its fight to protect consumers from cryptocurrency kiosk scams in 2027.
After passing in the House unanimously, the bill did not pass in the Senate. While we are disappointed, we want to thank our team of advocate volunteers who worked passionately to protect Delawareans from these scams. We also enjoyed collaborating with the Department of Justice, the Bank Regulators Association and other partners to provide testimony, write letters to editors and more.
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Cryptocurrency kiosks, often called crypto ATMs, allow users to conduct digital currency transactions. While these machines can be used for legitimate purposes, they have increasingly become tools for scammers targeting unsuspecting consumers. According to the FBI, Americans reported $389 million in losses tied to crypto kiosks in 2025, with adults aged 50-plus and 60 and older accounting for 76 percent of those losses.
According to the FBI IC3 report of internet crimes, Delawareans have filed 181 complaints involving cryptocurrency kiosks. And since we know many of these crimes are never reported, the numbers are surely much higher. These scams often begin with a sense of urgency. Victims are told they must resolve a financial issue, protect their savings, or help a loved one. They are instructed to withdraw large sums of cash and deposit them into a crypto kiosk via a QR code, thereby transferring the money directly to criminals.
House Bill 441 would have prohibited cryptocurrency kiosks statewide and required existing machines to be removed within 90 days of the law's effective date. It also establishes penalties for violations and expands accountability to those who knowingly facilitate these transactions or allow them on their premises.
“AARP Delaware supports House Bill 441 because it addresses a documented source of financial exploitation affecting residents across our state,” said Lucretia Young, AARP Delaware State Director. “This legislation offers a clear path to reduce harm and prevent future losses, especially for older adults who are disproportionately impacted by these scams.”
AARP Delaware stresses that the impact of these scams extends beyond the numbers. Every reported loss represents a resident facing financial and emotional harm. By eliminating a known tool for fraud, House Bill 441 would strengthen consumer protections and help prevent future scams.
AARP encourages state lawmakers to act on this legislation and continue efforts to safeguard Delawareans from evolving fraud tactics
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