Published in RINewsToday on August 11, 2025
Rhode Island joins 11 other states in enacting laws or regulations to protect consumers from fraud at cryptocurrency ATMs, addressing the disproportionate impact on older adults. According to the Washington, DC-based AARP, older adults disproportionately fall victim to Crypto ATM Fraud.
On June 17, 2025, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, put a spotlight on this national issue at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, “Scammers Exposed: Protecting Older Americans from Transnational Crime Networks.” At the hearing, the Illinois senator announced the introduction of the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Peter Welch (D-VT) to help end these scams.
Crypto ATMs look like normal ATMs and can be found in 45,000 locations nationwide, including grocery stores and gas stations. The key difference is that instead of depositing money with your bank, a crypto ATM allows customers to purchase cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Crypto ATM scams led to nearly $247 million in losses in 2024, says Senator Durbin, citing an FBI report. Adults over age 60 accounted for more than 67% of the victims of reported crypto ATM fraud.
According to Federal Trade Commission data, nationwide fraud losses through crypto ATMs jumped nearly tenfold from 2020 to 2024 and surpassed $65 million in the first half of 2024.
Bipartisan Support Key to Passage of Crypto Legislative Proposals
Throughout the nation, at the state level, the burgeoning kiosk industry lacks important regulations, making crypto ATMs ripe for criminal fraud, says AARP. With support from the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization advocating for America’s older adults, 11 states enacted new laws this year to combat the hundreds of millions of dollars lost annually to crypto ATM fraud. Bipartisan support on both sides of the aisle resulted in passage of legislative proposals in these states – Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
“In state after state, AARP found lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and local law enforcement eager to work on commonsense rules that balance innovation and consumer safety,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, in a statement announcing successful state legislative actions. “With criminals disproportionately targeting older Americans through crypto ATM scams, we’re proud to have helped pass these laws that will better protect millions of people nationwide from having their hard-earned money stolen,” she said.
“Our law that passed the statehouse in Illinois will see consumers at crypto ATMs protected by transaction limits, required ATM registration, guidelines on refunds after fraud, and more,” said AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent. “We’re committed to staying on top of this issue and other modern-day fraud trends to ensure that our 1.7 million members in Illinois—and all older adults and their families—are not robbed of their hard-earned money.”
“Nebraska’s new law, which passed on March 6, is hopefully a model for other states – and perhaps even one day the nation,” said AARP Nebraska State Director Todd Stubbendieck. “We know this law is greatly needed, and when the legislation goes into effect in September, we expect it will have a significant impact in helping to deter crypto ATM fraud.”
Rhode Island Passes Protective Crypto Legislation, Too
As Sen. Durbin held his hearing, that day, June 17th, the Rhode Island General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies Committee Chairwoman Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) to protect older Rhode Islanders from the rapidly growing category of scams that use cryptocurrency ATMs to defraud victims. The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee on June 26, 2025.
The Nuts and Bolts
The legislation (S 0016A, H 5121A) states that each crypto ATM operator must register with the Department of Business Regulation as a money transmitter and is required to provide live customer service Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Daily limits would be set to $2,000 per day for new customers and $5,000 per day for existing customers. New customers are defined as utilizing the ATMs of a licensed operator for the first time and for 30 days thereafter. Existing customers include any person who has used the ATM of a licensed operator for more than 30 days after first use.
A new customer can receive a full refund if they report the fraud to law enforcement within 90 days. An existing customer can receive a refund of the transaction fees if they report the fraud to law enforcement within 90 days. In both cases, the customer must notify both the ATM operator and law enforcement.
Operators would be required to provide numerous statutory disclosures (including fees) and warnings to protect and inform users. The company must also provide a detailed paper receipt of all transactions in compliance with statutory requirements.
“Cryptocurrency ATMs are kiosks that allow users to deposit cash and easily convert it into cryptocurrency. We’ve seen victims in our own communities lose thousands of dollars when scammers direct them to send cash through these machines. Rhode Island, compared to some neighboring states, is behind the curve on regulating this new technology,” warned Gu.
“Crypto ATMs are unfortunately an increasingly common way for criminals to get away with their ill-gotten gains, and without increased regulation, this trend will only accelerate,” she said.
“Crypto ATMs look a lot like regular ATMs, and you can find them across Rhode Island in convenience stores, laundromats, liquor stores, and smoke shops. You’ve probably walked by one without even knowing it. They have no transaction limits, and once money is deposited to a scammer, there is virtually no way to recover it. Regulation of these kiosks is long overdue. It’s our responsibility as lawmakers to protect Rhode Islanders—especially the elderly—from scammers and techno-criminals, and this legislation is an important part of fulfilling that responsibility,” said Casimiro.
“This important legislation will deter criminals from using crypto ATMs for fraudulent activity by creating important safety measures and consumer protections. Older Rhode Islanders have worked hard to save for a secure retirement. AARP applauds the General Assembly for ensuring that Rhode Islanders’ savings remain where they belong—and not in a criminal’s digital wallet,” said Catherine Taylor, AARP Rhode Island State Director.
While it was a monumental achievement to pass legislation in so many statehouses across the country, AARP continues its work to push legislative proposals in other states without anti-fraud measures to protect older adults.
To learn how to spot and avoid scams, go to:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/
If you suspect financial fraud, report it to local law enforcement or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. You can also visit:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/helpline
For more details about crypto fraud, go to:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/cryptocurrency/
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Herb Weiss 