July 30th, 2024

• DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Dubuque Police Department has received several reports of internet-based scams over the past two months. The first is a Bitcoin ATM scam. These scams typically begin with the victim meeting a scammer online and forming a friendship or relationship. The scammer then provides the victim with a QR code for a Bitcoin wallet and asks the victim to transfer a large sum of money, typically in the thousands of dollars, to the scammer, which they will then withdraw via a Bitcoin ATM. The scammer will give a variety of reasons why this request is “legitimate” and “necessary,” but it is all a scam to steal the victim’s money.
• The second type of scam begins with scammers sending a pop-up onto the victim’s computer, advising the victim that their computer is compromised. A phone number is provided for “Customer Support” or “Microsoft Support,” which the victim is instructed to call. This phone number, however, connects to the scammers. The scammers then tell the victim their bank accounts have been compromised and they should withdraw all funds in cash and give it to a “representative” who will meet the victim in person. The scammers provide the victim with a code word, ask to meet the victim at a designated location where the cash can be handed over, and claim they will take the cash and put it in a “secure” bank account while the banking issues are resolved.
• These scammers have even gone so far as to tell the victims not to call their financial institution because the banks and credit unions are “in on it.”
• The Dubuque Police Department wants to remind our community to be extremely cautious of internet-based communications from people you don’t know. We also want to remind the community to never give personal information, including social security numbers, birthdates, passwords, or banking information, to anybody that calls you soliciting this information. Remain vigilant in your efforts to avoid online scammers. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you are unsure whether an internet-based or telephone request is legitimate, hang up the phone or stop the online chat and reach out to your financial institution or local law enforcement right away.I hope this helps! Let me know if you need any further assistance.