What it looks like
"Ma'am, your bank account has been compromised. Withdraw your funds today and deposit them at the Bitcoin machine in the store on Main Street. I will text you a QR code for your secure government wallet. Stay on the line with me."
An example. Real ones change their wording, amounts and names all the time.
How it works
Bitcoin ATMs look like regular cash machines, but they work the other way around. You put cash in, and the machine turns it into cryptocurrency and sends it to a digital wallet. If you scan a QR code someone gave you, the money goes straight to their wallet. Once it is sent, it is very hard to trace and nearly impossible to get back.
The machine is the last step of another scam. A caller pretending to be your bank, the government, Amazon or tech support says your money is in danger or you owe a fine. They tell you to take out cash, drive to a store with a Bitcoin ATM, and feed in the bills while they stay on the line. They may tell you exactly what to say if the bank teller asks questions.
It fools careful people because the machine looks normal, it sits in a familiar store, and the caller sounds like they are helping. The FTC says real businesses and government agencies will never tell you to use a Bitcoin ATM, buy gift cards, or move money to protect it.
Signs it is fake
- Any instruction to put cash into a Bitcoin or crypto ATM, often at a gas station, grocery store or convenience store
- A QR code sent to you by text to scan at the machine
- The caller stays on the phone with you the whole time
- A story about protecting your money, paying a fine, or fixing a problem with your computer or bank
- Coaching on what to tell your bank about why you are taking out cash
What to do
- Stop. No real business or government agency will tell you to use a Bitcoin ATM.
- Hang up and call your bank or the agency yourself, using a number you trust.
- Tell someone close to you what is happening before you do anything with money.
If you already clicked, called or paid
- Call the company that runs the machine right away. Its name and phone number are usually on the machine or the receipt.
- Keep every receipt. They show where the money went.
- Report it at ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov, and tell your local police.
Being fooled is not your fault. These messages are made by professionals to look real. Acting quickly is what matters. See what to do if you paid a scammer.
Not sure about a message?
Forward it to Uncle at +1 208 214 0093, or send a screenshot. He tells you plainly what looks wrong. He never asks for passwords or codes, and he never texts first. How it works.
Worried about a parent? With the Family plan, you get a heads up when a likely scam reaches them.
More common scams
- Gift card scam
- Zelle and payment app scam
- Gold bar courier scam
- Crypto investment scam
- See all common scams
Written by the Textuncle team. Last updated October 3, 2026.
Text Uncle