Scams going around · Phone calls
Bitcoin ATM scam
Pretends to be a government agency, the police, a utility or a business like your bank. A caller says your money is at risk, or that you must fix a problem fast. They tell you to put cash into a Bitcoin ATM. That is a machine in a store or gas station that turns cash into cryptocurrency (digital money). They send you a QR code, a square barcode, to scan at the machine. Your cash then goes straight to the scammer.
An example of what it can look like
Not a real message: the details are made up.
Caller ID: FRAUD DEPT (202) 555-0162
This is Dan from your bank's fraud department. Someone is trying to empty your account. To protect your money, take out cash today and put it in the Bitcoin ATM at the gas station near you. Stay on the phone with me. I'll text you a QR code to scan. Don't tell anyone, not even your family.
How to tell
- Someone tells you to put cash into a Bitcoin ATM, a machine that turns cash into digital money. Real government agencies, police and businesses never tell you to do that.
- They say your money is at risk and you must move it to "protect" it. There is no such thing as a government Bitcoin account.
- They send you a QR code (a square barcode) to scan at the machine. Only a scammer sends one.
- They stay on the phone and walk you through each step: taking out cash, finding the machine and using it.
- They tell you to keep it a secret, even from your family.
What to do
- Hang up. You don't owe the caller an explanation.
- Don't take out cash or move money because of a call or message you didn't expect.
- Don't call back any number the caller gives you.
- Never scan a QR code (a square barcode) that someone sends you to put cash into a Bitcoin ATM. Only a scammer sends one.
- Slow down, and talk with someone you trust before you do anything.
If you already tapped, paid, called or replied
- Stop talking to the caller, and don't send any more money.
- Contact the company that runs the Bitcoin ATM right away. Tell them it was a fraud, and ask them to reverse the payment and refund your money.
- Call your bank or investment company right away on the number from your statement, especially if you took money out.
- Keep your receipts. Write down where the machine is and the phone numbers the caller used.
- Report it to your local police, the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How to check for real
Hang up. Call your bank, broker or investment advisor yourself. Use the number on your account statement or the back of your card. Don't use a number the caller gives you. For a government agency or other company, look up its phone number or website yourself.
Where to report it
- The FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov
- Your local police department
- Your bank or investment company, right away if you moved money
Free guides that go with this
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Where this comes from
Written from these official warnings, checked 2026-09-25. Lantern is not part of any organization named on this page.