State police are alerting individuals and companies a couple of rip-off involving a cryptocurrency and present playing cards that has been going via the county.

Victims are normally contacted by telephone name or textual content message and are tricked into both buying present playing cards or to withdraw money and deposit it right into a Bitcoin ATM.  The incidents had been first reported to State Police in October of 2021, when two Indiana County companies had been cheated out of a mixed $40,000 after they had been advised to withdraw money and deposit it in a Bitcoin ATM in Westmoreland County.  One other case was reported just lately with a enterprise in White Township misplaced $14,658 after an worker was contacted and suggested to deposit that cash right into a White Township Bitcoin ATM.

Quite a few residents have additionally been contacted by scammers who’ve been capable of get between $100 and $20,000 in every case.  The individuals are satisfied to purchase present playing cards after which present the scammers with the present card numbers.

Troopers say that residents and enterprise homeowners ought to focus on the scams with their household and staff.  If there may be any query on whether or not one thing is a rip-off, individuals are suggested to contact their monetary establishment, a regulation enforcement company, or the Indiana County District Legal professional’s Workplace.  Seniors can even contact Getting old Companies at 724-349-4500 for additional help.  Tips about the right way to keep away from falling sufferer to those scams may also be discovered via the Federal Commerce Fee web site.