Legislation to put new rules on ATM-like kiosks has failed in the past two sessions.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Centralia police said a woman recently lost more than $1,400 to a scammer posing as a sheriff’s deputy who convinced her to deposit cash into a cryptocurrency kiosk — the latest in a wave of fraud schemes targeting older adults and prompting renewed calls for state legislation.
The scam mirrors a pattern seen across Washington state.
An Olympia-area woman in her 70s lost more than $15,000 in cash last year after receiving texts claiming she owed money for missing jury duty.
Callers convinced her that depositing cash into crypto kiosks would resolve the matter.
“I was told that the local authorities would arrest me because there was a warrant for my arrest,” she said, asking to remain anonymous. “I know nothing about this world — I didn’t know that the police don’t call you. They don’t ask for cash. This was a whole different world for me.”
Crypto kiosks — ATM-like machines found in many convenience stores that convert cash into cryptocurrency — have become a preferred tool for fraudsters.
The FBI handled more than 10,000 crypto kiosk fraud cases in 2024, and 85% of victims were age 60 or older.
Other states have taken notice. Minnesota has explored an outright ban on the kiosks following a series of scams targeting older adults. Washington state lawmakers have proposed restrictions, including $2,000 daily transaction limits, additional warning signs and mandatory receipts, but those bills have failed to advance for two consecutive sessions.
Detectives told the Olympia woman crypto kiosk victims rarely recover their money. Rather than stay silent, she chose to speak out.
“I decided that instead of crawling into a hole and just saying I was stupid, I was foolish, I got mad — and I thought, I need this to change,” she said.
She hopes what happened to her serves as a cautionary tale.
“I’ve lost my sense of trust,” she said. “Which is very sad.”
AARP plans to lobby for the legislation again next session.
The organization advises anyone receiving a threatening call, text or email to independently contact the agency allegedly reaching out to verify whether the concern is legitimate.
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