# Crypto ATM scams up 1,000% since 2020, FTC reports $388 M loss in 2025

**Published:** 2026-07-08T21:44:55.167Z  
**Topic:** Crypto Scam  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/b0864c1f-bd4e-4781-a55b-63595a853536

FTC data shows crypto ATM fraud surged 1,000% from 2020‑2023 and hit $388 M in 2025, a 58% rise YoY. Learn the red flags and upcoming regulatory moves.

A FTC report released this week shows money lost to cryptocurrency‑ATM scams jumped 1,000 % between 2020 and 2023, and consumers reported $388 million in losses in 2025 – a 58 % increase over 2024【2】. The spike highlights how scammers exploit the anonymity and instant settlement of crypto ATMs, especially targeting older users with “imposter” tactics.

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Loss increase | 1,000 % (2020‑2023) |
| 2025 losses | $388 million (↑58 % YoY) |
| Avg. loss for seniors | $10,000 per victim |
| Regulatory response | Three states ban crypto ATMs; federal bill pending |

## How scammers use crypto ATMs  
Most ATM frauds involve imposters posing as law‑enforcement officers, government officials, or tech‑support agents. Victims are pressured to withdraw cash, convert it to crypto at a nearby ATM, and send the funds to a QR code supplied by the scammer. The FTC notes people over 60 are more than three times as likely to fall prey, with an average loss of $10,000 per case【2】. Because crypto transfers are irreversible and can be routed abroad instantly, ATMs have become a preferred “payment portal” for laundering scam proceeds.

## Regulatory and industry reaction  
Massachusetts sued Bitcoin Depot after more than half of its ATM transactions between Aug 2023 and Jan 2025 were linked to scams【2】. Indiana, Tennessee and Minnesota have enacted outright bans, while six other states impose caps and refund rules. At the federal level, Senator Richard Durbin’s Crypto Fraud ATM Prevention Act, introduced Feb 2025, would require operator registration, daily transaction limits of $2,000 for new users, mandatory verification calls for large transfers, and refunds if victims report within 30 days【2】.

## What to watch  
- **State bans and caps** – monitor whether additional states follow Indiana’s lead or tighten transaction limits.  
- **Legislative progress** – track the Senate Banking Committee’s handling of the Crypto Fraud ATM Prevention Act.  
- **FTC quarterly updates** – watch for new loss figures that could signal further escalation or the impact of emerging safeguards.

The surge in crypto‑ATM fraud underscores the need for clearer consumer protections and tighter operator oversight. As regulators move to curb the abuse, the effectiveness of these measures will determine whether the market can restore confidence in on‑ramps that blend cash and digital assets.

## Sources
1. Bajajfinserv — [Crypto Scammer: Identify and Prevent Cryptocurrency Scams](https://www.bajajfinserv.in/crypto-scammer-guide)
2. Forbes — [FTC Warning: Crypto ATM Scams Up 1,000%—How To Protect Yourself](https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveweisman/2026/06/22/ftc-warning-crypto-atm-scams-up-1000-how-to-protect-yourself/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Crypto ATM scams up 1,000% since 2020, FTC reports $388 M loss in 2025", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/b0864c1f-bd4e-4781-a55b-63595a853536