Michigan State Police didn’t ask you for bitcoin Michiganders lost $80 million in cryptocurrency scams last year
(Pexels)
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State Police are warning residents of a rise in scams that involve bitcoin.
The state police agency posted on social media a reminder that no government agency will ever ask a resident to pay for a fine or ticket with cryptocurrency or a gift card. There will always be the option to pay with cash in person.
Anyone who is contacted by someone posing as a government agency that tries to get them to pay in cryptocurrency or a gift card is urged to contact the actual agency directly.
Michigan State Police isn’t the only agency that has made such a warning to residents. Police in Northville Township also reported such a scam recently after a resident reportedly was scammed out of roughly $300,000 .
More than $5.6 billion was lost nationally due to cryptocurrency scams last year , a significant increase from 2022 and 2021. According to the FBI, Michiganders lost $79,894,360 in cryptocurrency scams in 2023.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has released several warnings and tips about similar phone scams that can be read here . More information on avoiding and reporting scams can be found on the Federal Trade Commission website .
Consumer complaints can be filed online on the Attorney General’s website .
Related: ‘Pig butchering’ scams on the rise: What to know to protect yourself
Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Dane Kelly headshot
Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.
Video captures Detroit shooting suspect in action ▶ 0:24
Video captures Detroit shooting suspect in action
The hidden danger of that first call to your insurance company ▶ 0:46
The hidden danger of that first call to your insurance company
Mattel launches first Barbie with autism ▶ 0:22
Mattel launches first Barbie with autism
Michigan ties to U.S. Olympic figure skating team ▶ 1:30
Michigan ties to U.S. Olympic figure skating team
911 call from Sherrone Moore's wife after firing ▶ 1:58
911 call from Sherrone Moore's wife after firing
Maria Scott's quick thinking prevents school tragedy ▶ 1:08
Maria Scott's quick thinking prevents school tragedy
Detroit Mayor Sheffield formally takes oath of office ▶ 3:26
Detroit Mayor Sheffield formally takes oath of office
Romulus shooting suspect disrupts court, cusses out judge ▶ 1:02
Romulus shooting suspect disrupts court, cusses out judge
Oakland County man honored for life-saving rescue on Bush Lake in Holly ▶ 0:45
Oakland County man honored for life-saving rescue on Bush Lake in Holly
Ypsilanti standoff damages home, disrupts local services ▶ 0:43
Ypsilanti standoff damages home, disrupts local services
Cat filter disrupts Michigan court hearing ▶ 0:23
Cat filter disrupts Michigan court hearing
Hearing in Washtenaw County foster family killings ▶ 1:37
Hearing in Washtenaw County foster family killings
Acker's death ruled accidental; USPS safety questioned ▶ 0:44
Acker's death ruled accidental; USPS safety questioned
Detroit sees lowest murder rate since 1965 ▶ 0:37
Detroit sees lowest murder rate since 1965
Hearing on Mario Willis arson case continues ▶ 1:22
Hearing on Mario Willis arson case continues
They were filming inside a business. That led to a confrontation ▶ 0:36
They were filming inside a business. That led to a confrontation
Armed man arrested at Romulus Middle School ▶ 2:27
Armed man arrested at Romulus Middle School
US/Canada icebreaking effort aids Great Lakes ▶ 0:31
US/Canada icebreaking effort aids Great Lakes
3 Preventable Ways Insurance Companies Use to Deny Your Claim.mp4 ▶ 0:51
3 Preventable Ways Insurance Companies Use to Deny Your Claim.mp4
Powerful winds cause Lake Erie to flee Ohio, Michigan ▶ 0:56
Powerful winds cause Lake Erie to flee Ohio, Michigan
Record-breaking snowfall hits Upper Peninsula ▶ 0:24
Record-breaking snowfall hits Upper Peninsula
Firefighter injured as crews battle fire at Southgate motel ▶ 0:54
Firefighter injured as crews battle fire at Southgate motel
From the Vault: Christmas shopping in Detroit, 1973 ▶ 1:05
From the Vault: Christmas shopping in Detroit, 1973
U.S. beef prices soar over past year ▶ 0:43
U.S. beef prices soar over past year
Michigan players react to Sherrone Moore situation ▶ 1:23
Michigan players react to Sherrone Moore situation
Previous photo Next photo