AARP & Florida Department of Law Enforcement Urge Floridians to Beware of Crypto ATM Scams

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – AARP Florida and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) are warning Floridians about a sharp rise in cryptocurrency (crypto) ATM or virtual currency kiosk fraud. New federal data shows that Americans lost more than $333 million to crypto ATM scams in 2025, with more than 12,000 complaints filed nationwide, marking the highest losses and complaint levels ever recorded.

Over the past five years, the Office of Financial Regulation has received reports of more than $33 million in losses from crypto ATM-facilitated frauds and scams in Florida – likely only a fraction of the actual losses given the persistent underreporting of fraud.

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Florida has more than 3,100 crypto ATMs operating statewide, and these machines are not licensed or regulated by the state. Often found in gas stations and convenience stores, these machines convert cash into digital currency within minutes. Crypto ATMs have become the No. 1 preferred method of payment by scammers because the transactions are fast, anonymous, and nearly impossible to reverse.

“Crypto ATMs have become a major tool for scammers, and victims can lose thousands of dollars in minutes. Although law enforcement has made progress recovering funds in some cryptocurrency fraud cases, money sent through crypto ATMs is almost never recoverable,” said Mike Duffey, Special Agent in Charge of FDLE’s Cyber Crime Technology and Telecommunications Division. “If someone you barely know — especially someone you’ve only met online — tells you to deposit cash into a crypto ATM, stop immediately. Ask yourself why they insist on this method. Scammers rely on urgency and pressure to keep you from thinking clearly. Before sending any money, pause and talk to a trusted friend or family member, or contact your local law enforcement agency. That single step could prevent a devastating financial loss. Stay alert. Stay skeptical. Protect yourself.”

Scammers commonly use high pressure or emotionally manipulative schemes to drive victims to crypto ATMs, including:

• Government Imposter Scams – Fraudsters pose as the IRS, Social Security Administration, law enforcement, or other officials, claiming the victim owes money, has a pending warrant, or is under investigation and must pay immediately at an ‘authorized location’ (i.e., a crypto ATM).
• Tech Support Scams – Victims are told their device and information have been compromised and that the only way to “secure” their funds from hackers is by withdrawing money and depositing it into a crypto ATM – which they may call a “safety locker” or “secure payment portal.”
• Family Emergency Scams (including AI voice clones) – Scammers impersonate a loved one in distress—such as a grandchild needing money for bail or help during an emergency—and they insist that the only way to help is by sending money through a crypto ATM.