The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning about rising cryptocurrency scams targeting Polk County residents. These scams often begin with misleading messages or emails, which may claim things like “Work at Home,” or “A pending package delivery,” or “Issues with your device” (such as a virus). They may even falsely inform you that you have a warrant for your arrest.
The message typically contains a link to a website or a phone number to call. Victims who respond are instructed to withdraw money from their bank accounts and deposit it into a cryptocurrency or Bitcoin ATM. Once the funds are deposited, tracking who received the money becomes extremely difficult, making recovery almost impossible.
If you’re not familiar with cryptocurrency, it’s essential to seek professional advice before using a cryptocurrency ATM. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stresses that law enforcement will never ask for cryptocurrency or any other form of payment in exchange for avoiding arrest or the issuance of an arrest warrant. Always be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages or requests for money.
