Cryptocurrency scams targeting the elderly have become an alarming trend, with scammers exploiting the trust and vulnerability of older individuals to steal their life savings through fraudulent investment schemes and other deceptive tactics. This article explores the growing problem of crypto scams, how they work, and what legal options are available for elderly victims and their families.
Elderly Falling Victim to Cryptocurrency Scams in Record Numbers
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have opened up a new frontier for scammers targeting vulnerable elderly individuals. As digital assets gain mainstream acceptance, thieves are increasingly tricking seniors into handing over their life savings through crypto-based schemes.
The sheer number of cryptocurrency scams have brought about the need for legal intervention. If you or someone you love has been scammed through a Bitcoin scam, specifically a Bitcoin scam involving a Bitcoin ATM or Bitcoin Depot machine, please reach out to us at (321) LAWSUIT. We're happy to give you a free legal consultation and talk with you about potential options.
Example of How These Crypto Scams Work
Picture this all-too-common scenario: A widowed elderly woman, one who is living alone and struggling with the daily challenges of aging, receives a disturbing phone call. The person on the other end claims to be from her bank and the Federal Trade Commission, urgently warning her that her bank account and life savings are at risk due to a security breach. Frightened and confused, she follows their instructions to withdraw a substantial sum in cash and deposit it into a "secure" digital wallet using a cryptocurrency ATM conveniently located at her neighborhood convenience store.
Trusting the crypto scammers and fearing for her financial well-being, the elderly woman makes multiple trips to the store within a short span of time. Each visit, she painstakingly feeds the machine one $100 bill at a time, a process that takes far longer than a typical transaction due to her age and unfamiliarity with the technology. Despite the highly unusual nature of these transactions, no one at the store intervenes or warns her that she might be falling victim to a crypto scam.
Little does she know, the Bitcoin is not being transferred to a secure digital wallet in her name, but instead is being funneled directly into the scammers' untraceable crypto assets accounts.
The companies operating the Bitcoin ATM and the convenience store are allegedly aware that their machines are frequently used to perpetrate such Bitcoin scams targeting the elderly, yet they have failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent this type of exploitation. Shockingly, these companies may even be profiting from these fraudulent transactions.
The Rise of Crypto Cons
Cryptocurrency scams have exploded in recent years. In 2021 alone, over 46,000 people reported losing more than $1 billion to crypto scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). That represents a nearly 60x increase in reported losses compared to 2018.
Many of these scams specifically target the elderly. Older individuals tend to be more trusting and less tech-savvy, making them prime targets for crypto cons. A recent FBI report found that over 13,800 individuals over the age of 60 collectively lost more than $1.7 billion to scams and fraud in 2021.
Common Types of Crypto Scams
Crypto scammers targeting seniors often impersonate trusted entities like banks, government agencies, or family members. Some common types of scams include:
- Callers pretending to be from the victim's bank warning of fraud and instructing them to convert funds to cryptocurrency;
- Emails impersonating the IRS claiming the victim owes back taxes and must pay in crypto;
- Social media messages from someone posing as a relative asking for crypto to deal with an emergency;
- Fake crypto investment opportunities promising guaranteed returns that are too good to be true;
- Romance scams involving relationships developed over the internet; and
- Sales scams over online marketplaces, such as Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or Craigslist.
These scammers often pressure victims to provide personal information, access to bank accounts and credit cards, or to invest in cryptocurrency through suspicious websites or Bitcoin ATMs. It's important for seniors and their loved ones to be aware of these common tactics and red flags.
The Scope of the Crypto ATM Scammer Problem
Statistics paint an alarming picture of the growing threat crypto scams pose to the elderly:
- Americans over 60 lost $1.7 billion to scams and fraud in 2021, a 74% increase from 2020;
- Bitcoin was involved in an estimated 7 out of 10 elderly cryptocurrency fraud cases in 2022;
- Crypto investment scams currently cost senior victims $35,000 per year on average;
- Crypto scam losses by elderly victims increased 350% in 2022.
Crypto ATMs: The New Frontier for Scammers
A growing trend involves scammers directing elderly victims to use Bitcoin ATMs to send funds. Victims are tricked into depositing cash into the machines, at which point the crypto is routed to the scammer's untraceable wallet.
Bitcoin Depot, one of the largest crypto ATM operators with kiosks in Circle K locations nationwide, has come under fire for allegedly profiting from and facilitating these Bitcoin scams. According to an SEC filing, the company has acknowledged its ATMs are used "to facilitate illegal activities such as fraud, money laundering, gambling, tax evasion, and scams."
Protecting Our Seniors from Bitcoin ATM Scams
As crypto scams continue to proliferate, it's critical that we take action to protect vulnerable elderly individuals. Some key steps include:
- Educating seniors about common types of scams and red flags to watch out for, such as unsolicited offers of guaranteed returns or free money;
- Encouraging open communication with trusted family members about finances and any suspicious investment opportunities;
- Reporting suspected cryptocurrency scams to proper authorities like law enforcement and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3);
- Holding crypto companies accountable when they knowingly facilitate fraud;
- Educating the elderly about how these scams are perpetrated and how important it is to be suspicious of any request to hand out private keys for crypto wallets or deposit cash in a crypto ATM.
The attorneys at Spetsas Buist are committed to advocating for elderly victims of cryptocurrency scams and their families. If you or a loved one has fallen prey to Bitcoin or other crypto fraud, we're here to talk with you and help you however we can. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
What Do You Do If You or a Loved One Has Fallen Victim to a Bitcoin ATM Scam?
If you or a loved one have experienced a similar situation in Florida, where crypto scammers exploited your trust and convinced you or your loved one to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM, you may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit seeking to hold these companies accountable for their role in facilitating elder financial abuse. By coming forward and sharing your story, you can help protect other vulnerable seniors from falling prey to these devastating cryptocurrency scams and potentially recover some of your lost crypto assets in the process.
If you or a loved one has fallen victim to a Bitcoin ATM scam, it's crucial to take immediate action to document the incident and seek assistance. Here are some important steps to follow:
- Document all communications: Save any emails, text messages, or other correspondence you had with the scammer. Take screenshots of their messages and profile information if possible.
- Gather transaction details: Collect receipts, bank statements, or any other records that show the amount of money you sent through the Bitcoin ATM. Note the date, time, and location of each transaction.
- File a police report: Contact your local law enforcement agency and file a report about the scam. Provide them with all the documentation you've collected. Request a copy of the police report for your records.
- Report the scam to relevant agencies: File complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and your state's Attorney General's office. These agencies track scam trends and may be able to provide additional resources or assistance.
- Notify your bank: If you used a credit card or withdrew money from your bank account to make the Bitcoin ATM transactions, alert your financial institution immediately. They may be able to cancel transactions or put a hold on your account to prevent further unauthorized activity.
- Seek legal counsel: Consult with an attorney experienced in handling cryptocurrency fraud cases. They can advise you on your legal options and help you navigate the process of seeking justice and potentially recovering your lost funds.
Remember, time is of the essence when it comes to documenting and reporting a Bitcoin ATM scam. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of preventing further financial losses and holding the scammers accountable.
Please don't hesitate to contact us on our website or call us at (321) LAWSUIT. Our lawyers are here to help however we can, and we're happy to give you a free legal consultation on your Bitcoin scam situation.