Hays Police warn of rising Bitcoin ATM scams

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HAYS, Kan. (KSNW) — The Hays Police Department is warning residents about a surge in scams that pressure victims into sending money through Bitcoin ATMs.

Police say scammers often pose as government officials, law enforcement, or utility companies, threatening arrest, fines, or other consequences unless immediate payment is made in cryptocurrency. Victims are typically directed to specific Bitcoin ATM locations and given QR codes to send funds directly to the scammer’s wallet.

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“No legitimate government agency, law enforcement, or utility company will ever demand payment through a Bitcoin ATM, gift card, or wire transfer,” Chief of Police Don Scheibler said in a statement. “If someone tells you to use one of these machines to pay a fine, resolve an issue, or protect your money, it is a scam. Hang up immediately and verify the request through official channels.”

Nationally, losses from Bitcoin ATM scams exceeded $65 million in just the first half of 2024, with a median loss of $10,000, according to police officials. Seniors have been hit hardest, accounting for 71% of reported losses.

Once cryptocurrency is transferred, police say it is nearly impossible to recover due to the anonymous and irreversible nature of the transactions. Scammers often disperse funds across multiple wallets, and victims may be targeted again by fake “recovery services” that demand more money.

The department advises residents to:

Ignore unsolicited calls, texts, or emails demanding payment via Bitcoin ATMs, gift cards, or wire transfers.
Verify requests using official contact information, not numbers provided by the caller.
Slow down and consult a trusted friend or family member before sending money.
Remember: legitimate organizations do not require cryptocurrency payments.

Anyone targeted by such a scam should call the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030, or report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

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