Criminals are pressuring older New Yorkers to put cash into crypto machines, and a state bill would add warnings and limits. Here is what to know.
Scammers are pushing older New Yorkers to feed cash into cryptocurrency kiosks, and the money goes straight to the criminals. Hundreds of New Yorkers were scammed last year, losing $18,000 on average. Some lose their life savings in a matter of minutes.
A crypto kiosk is a machine that turns cash into cryptocurrency, a form of digital money. These machines are commonly found in supermarkets and gas stations. Scammers pose as government officials, relatives or tech support staff. They pressure the victim to deposit cash into a kiosk. Once the money is sent, it is almost impossible to get back.
Older adults face the most risk. Anyone who shops at stores with these machines could be pointed toward one. The warning sign is simple: a stranger or a voice claiming to be someone official insists you put cash into a crypto machine. That request alone marks it as a scam. The alert box above lists what to do if it happens to you or someone you know.
A New York bill, S.9891 in the Senate and A.10899 in the Assembly, aims to add stronger warnings, transaction limits and fraud monitoring at these kiosks. The Senate passed it in 2026. It also moved through several Assembly committees before the session ended in June.
The material does not say whether the Assembly passed the bill or whether it has become law. Until it does, the machines work as they do today. AARP is asking residents to contact state lawmakers and explain in their own words why the issue matters to them.
No real official, relative or tech support worker will ever need you to put cash into a crypto kiosk, so hang up and talk to someone you trust.
The Attala County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi says scam calls are reaching residents, and a call that sounds official may not be.
Read more: Mississippi sheriff warns residents about scam phone callsScammers are posing as Texas sheriff's officers and claiming you missed jury duty. Caller ID can show a real police number even when the call is fake.
Read more: Fake jury duty calls spoof a real Texas sheriff's phone numberFake PayPal emails and texts, some posing as a security report, try to get you to tap a link and type your login. Checking your account directly avoids the trap.
Read more: Got a fake PayPal message? Skip its link and check your account yourself
