SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Police Department is urging residents to be vigilant against cryptocurrency scams, which have been targeting local community members.
One prevalent scheme directs victims to deposit money into cryptocurrency machines, transferring funds directly to scammers.
Police advise residents to immediately hang up if they receive calls demanding payment in cryptocurrency or bitcoin.
The department shared tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help residents avoid falling prey to these scams:
– Legitimate businesses never require advance payment in cryptocurrency.
– Promises of guaranteed profits or high returns in crypto markets are hallmarks of fraud.
– Be wary of investment advice from individuals met on dating sites or apps.
Authorities emphasize that only scammers insist on cryptocurrency for payments or claim to offer foolproof investment strategies.
For more information on avoiding cryptocurrency scams, residents can visit the FTC’s consumer protection website at https://consumer.ftc.gov/.
