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Cryptocurrency Kiosks Are Fueling Fraud in Oregon. Join our Fight to Stop Them
“As a law enforcement officer, I’ve watched scammers exploit fear, pressure victims into using cryptocurrency kiosks, and disappear with their money. These machines have become a preferred tool for criminals. I’m proud that the City of Albany stopped crypto kiosks through its zoning code. Oregon should ban cryptocurrency kiosks statewide to help prevent fraud before more lives are devastated.”
Join our Fight—Add Your Name
Every day cryptocurrency kiosks remain in Oregon, more people are at risk of losing their savings to sophisticated scams. Stand with AARP and law enforcement and stop cryptocurrency kiosk fraud in Oregon.
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What Are Cryptocurrency Kiosks?
Cryptocurrency kiosks — also called crypto ATMs or Bitcoin ATMs — look like regular ATMs, but they are not connected to banks. They convert cash into cryptocurrency and are often located in gas stations, convenience stores, liquor stores, and grocery stores.
For scammers, these machines are an easy way to move stolen money quickly. Victims are often told to withdraw cash, stay on the phone, go to a kiosk, and deposit the money into what they believe is a “safe” or “protected” account. In reality, the money goes straight into a criminal-controlled digital wallet. Once the transaction is complete, the money is almost always gone for good.
For kiosk companies, these machines allow them to profit off the backs of victims. States that have investigated have found these machines are used almost exclusively for fraud, drug trafficking, or money laundering. Kiosk companies make between 20-40% per transaction. One Oregon victim lost over $8000 in a scam using a Coinhub machine and Coinhub refused to refund her the 33% they made off her crime.
Cryptocurrency Kiosk Machines Are Helping Criminals Steal Millions
Cryptocurrency kiosk fraud is a fast-growing threat to consumers, especially older adults. Because most victims do not report because they are ashamed, embarrassed, or unsure where to turn, these numbers only represent a fraction of the loss.
According to 2025 FBI data:
- 13,460 cryptocurrency kiosk fraud complaints were filed nationwide.
- $389 million was stolen through cryptocurrency kiosk fraud.
- Adults aged 60 and older experienced about 75% of kiosk crimes/losses.
- The average loss for adults 60+ was $41,607.
- Oregon victims reported 256 cryptocurrency kiosk fraud complaints and more than $5.2 million in losses in 2025.
One Oregonian’s Story: “They Put Me in Such a Head Space”
In March 2025, Melinda saw a frightening message on her computer claiming it had been hacked. When she called the number on the screen, a scammer posing as a Microsoft technician convinced her that criminals had taken over her computer, bank accounts, and phone. Over the next several days, scammers used fear, urgency, and deception to manipulate her into moving money to “protect” it.
They instructed her to withdraw thousands of dollars from her accounts and deposit cash into a cryptocurrency kiosk. They then pressured her to buy gift cards, transfer funds from investment accounts and hand cash to a courier who came to her home. Throughout the ordeal, they warned her not to tell anyone and convinced her she could lose everything if she failed to follow their instructions.
The scam finally unraveled when a bank manager became suspicious of another withdrawal and recognized the warning signs of a “phantom hacker” scam. By then, Melinda had already lost a significant amount of money.
Looking back, Melinda says the scammers succeeded because they created an overwhelming sense of fear and urgency.
“I am not unintelligent, and yet I fell victim to this crime. They were sophisticated, made themselves seem legitimate, and then used fear, urgency, and the threat that criminals had access to my money to overwhelm my ability to think rationally.”
Today, Melinda is sharing her story so others can recognize the warning signs and avoid becoming victims of the same devastating scam.
AARP Oregon’s Solution: Stop the Machines Criminals Use to Steal
Across the country, states are taking action to protect consumers from cryptocurrency kiosk fraud. 35 states have taken action, and AARP Oregon is working with law enforcement, the banking community, consumer advocates, and bipartisan legislators to introduce legislation in the 2027 Oregon legislative session to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in our state.
The goal is simple: These machines are “the getaway car” in a crime. We need to give law enforcement the tools to stop this crime. This is about protecting people, families, and communities. Theft is not commerce. No company should profit from a payment system that criminals use to drain life savings.
Video: How Crypto ATM Scammers Steal Millions
Join our Fight—Add Your Name
AARP Oregon is fighting to stop cryptocurrency kiosk fraud and protect Oregonians from losing their savings.
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