# Bonta warns against crypto ATMs and scams

> California AG urges caution with crypto ATMs after $11.4B in crypto scams.
- Title: Bonta warns against crypto ATMs and scams · NBC Bay Area
- Summary: California AG urges caution with crypto ATMs after $11.4B in crypto scams. California Attorney General Rob Bonta advises against using crypto ATMs due to…
- Keywords: rob bonta, crypto atms, fidelity digital asset services, rug pull scams, pig butchering, sextortion, liquidity mining, california, fbi internet crime center, senate bill 1208, news, local
- Source: NBC Bay Area — https://nbcbayarea.com/news/california/bonta-crypto-atms-scams/4161662
- Published: 2026-10-20T16:48:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rob bonta, crypto atms, fidelity digital asset services, rug pull scams, pig butchering, sextortion, liquidity mining, california, fbi internet crime center, senate bill 1208, news, local
## Crypto scams cost $11.4 billion
Americans lost about $11.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2025, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Center.
## Bonta warns of crypto scams
California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned residents Monday to be on the lookout for several different types of fraud and scams related to cryptocurrency.
## Crypto ATMs risky
Bonta singled out cryptocurrency ATMs as one of the riskiest crypto products and said they should never be used.
## Rug pull scams
Rug pull scams involve attracting investors, driving up prices, then suddenly selling shares to drop prices for investors.
## Rug pull targets
Recent rug pull scams have been reported against President Donald Trump, Hunter Biden, and influencer Hailey Welch.
## Crypto ATMs in SF
There are at least 60 crypto ATMs in San Francisco, many located in Safeway grocery stores.
## Bonta's advice
Bonta advised victims to ignore threats, block scammers, and verify contacts before sharing personal information.
## Senate Bill 1208
Senate Bill 1208 will help recover stolen cryptocurrency by allowing courts to return funds even when perpetrators are outside US jurisdiction.
## Key takeaway

California Attorney General Rob Bonta advises against using crypto ATMs due to scam risks after $11.4 billion lost to crypto scams in 2025.