BERKELEY – Township police are urging residents to be on high alert after a rise in scams involving Bitcoin ATMs, warning that no legitimate government agency or financial institution will ever direct someone to move money through a cryptocurrency machine.
According to the Berkeley Township Police Department, scammers often pressure victims by claiming their bank accounts are compromised or that urgent action is required to “protect” their savings. Once a victim is frightened or confused, the caller typically instructs them to keep the situation secret and then directs them to a Bitcoin ATM to transfer funds.
Police said the tactic is designed to isolate the victim and create a false sense of emergency. The moment money is deposited into a Bitcoin ATM at the scammer’s direction, it is virtually impossible to retrieve.
“There is no such thing as a government Bitcoin wallet, a federal cryptocurrency locker, or any official agency that will tell you to secure your money using digital currency,” the department said in a social media post.
“Only a scammer will give you a QR code and claim it will safeguard your savings.”
Officials emphasized that Bitcoin and similar digital currencies offer no built-in protections and that scammers rely on quick decisions and secrecy to exploit victims.
Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions:
- Never move or convert money at someone else’s request, regardless of the reason they give.
- If concerned about an account, contact your bank or financial adviser using the phone number listed on your official statements — not a number provided by a caller.
- Report any attempted scam to your financial institution and then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Police urged residents to share the warning with friends, neighbors, and family members who may be most vulnerable to high-pressure schemes.
