Your next trip to the ATM just got riskier: The FTC warns that scam losses tied to crypto atm machines have hit an all-time high, with victims losing over $10,000 on average. That’s money from your checking account or credit card, drained instantly at a machine that looks just like a bank kiosk. The trick? A caller posing as a government agent or tech support tells you to “protect” your funds by depositing cash into a crypto atm—and once it’s in, it’s gone forever. Banks won’t reverse this, and your wallet is now out thousands. Before you scan that QR code, know that real businesses never demand payment via a crypto machine. Your best defense: hang up, walk away, and report the scam to the local consumer protection office. Your hard-earned cash should stay in your pocket, not become a quick win for con artists.