The Surfside Police Department is warning residents about an ongoing fraud scheme in which scammers are deceiving victims into withdrawing their money and depositing it into a Bitcoin ATM.
These scams often begin with a pop-up alert on the victim's computer, falsely warning of a virus or security breach. The alert prompts the victim to click a link for a fix and then instructs them to call a provided phone number. Once on the call, scammers posing as security experts claim that the victim's bank account is compromised and that a "secure transfer" is necessary to protect their funds.
The victim is then directed to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM, often located in various locations across Miami-Dade County. One such ATM is located at 401 71st St, Miami Beach.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and take the following precautions:
- Never trust unsolicited pop-ups claiming your computer is infected.
- Do not call unknown phone numbers or provide personal information.
- If contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank, independently verify by calling your bank directly.
- Law enforcement and legitimate financial institutions will never instruct you to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM.
If you believe you have been targeted by this scam, report it immediately to the Surfside Police Department. Stay informed and share this warning with family and friends to help prevent fraud in our community.