Orleans Eyes Total Ban on Crypto Kiosks to Stop Rising Digital Scams
Small towns are taking big steps against
The Push for a New Rule
Police in Orleans have teamed up with town leaders to draft an article for the special town meeting. The goal is simple: stop the use of cryptocurrency kiosks. These machines let people turn cash into digital coins like Bitcoin, but they have become a favorite tool for scammers.
Chief Scott MacDonald pointed to FBI numbers showing that 85 percent of activity on these kiosks involves fraud. That high rate gave the department a clear reason to act.
Local Cases and How the Scams Work
Over the past year and a half, police handled five to ten cases where residents lost money through these kiosks. Scammers often call or email victims while pretending to be from a bank. They create panic by saying money is at risk and tell the person to move funds into crypto to protect it.
Once the transfer happens, the money splits across many wallets and becomes almost impossible to trace. Victims usually lose thousands of dollars before they realize what occurred.
Why Kiosks Are Seen as Risky
Lt. Andrew McLaughlin explained that kiosks are less safe than phone apps for crypto. Most people use them only when pushed by scammers or when they want to hide transactions. The machines make it easy for criminals to receive stolen funds quickly.
The proposed rule would affect three or four kiosks in town, including one at a local Cumberland Farms store. Some store owners may actually welcome the change because the machines bring unwanted problems.
What Residents Should Do
Police offer clear advice to avoid these traps:
- Never send money or share details after a sudden call or email.
- Check directly with your bank using a known number.
- Ignore threats of arrest or legal trouble.
- Report any loss to police right away.
Acting fast gives the best chance of recovering funds. Waiting even a few days can make recovery much harder.
Not Against Crypto Itself
Officials stress that the bylaw targets only the kiosks, not cryptocurrency in general. Mobile apps and other methods would still be available. The focus stays on stopping the platform that scammers use most often.
If the rule passes, Orleans could become one of the first towns to remove these machines completely. Other places may watch closely to see if similar steps follow.
