U.S. Congress Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Crypto ATM Scams U.S. Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) announced today the introduction of the Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing consumer protections, curbing fraud, and holding criminals accountable for exploiting cryptocurrency ATMs to target seniors and vulnerable Americans. The legislation seeks to address the growing threat of financial scams facilitated by these machines, which have become a primary tool for fraudsters to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Americans lost over $333 million to crypto ATM scams in 2025, marking a 33 percent surge compared to the previous year. Older adults are particularly at risk, with individuals aged 60 and above accounting for more than 85 percent of reported losses linked to these scams. The bill’s proponents argue that the rise in such crimes underscores the urgent need for legislative action to safeguard seniors and other vulnerable populations. The Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act proposes several measures to combat these scams. It would establish new safeguards to prevent fraud, mandate stronger transparency requirements for crypto ATM operators, and equip law enforcement with additional tools to investigate and disrupt these schemes. The legislation also aims to ensure that victims receive clearer warnings and stronger protections before engaging with crypto ATM services. Rep. Salazar emphasized the personal impact of these scams on seniors, stating, “In South Florida, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact financial scams can have on seniors and their families. America’s seniors spent a lifetime working, saving, and planning for retirement.#south_florida #maria_elvira_salazar #federal_bureau_of_investigation #us_congress #sean_casten
Your Favorite Apps May Be Tracking You: Here's How to Stay Safe The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning about the potential risks posed by foreign-developed mobile applications, particularly those developed by companies based in China. The agency highlights concerns that these apps may collect sensitive personal information, including contact details, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses, while also storing data on servers located in China. The advisory emphasizes that users should be cautious about the permissions they grant to apps and take proactive steps to protect their data. The FBI’s alert underscores that many of the most downloaded and highest-grossing apps are developed by companies outside the United States. Some of these companies are based in China, where national security laws require businesses to comply with government mandates that could involve sharing data collected through their platforms. The agency explains that while these apps are widely used in the U.S., similar data security risks exist globally. When users download an app, they are typically prompted to allow specific permissions, such as access to contacts, location, or camera. If these permissions are approved, the app can continuously collect information from the device, even when the app is not actively in use. The FBI notes that some apps may gather personal details such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers, and in cases where users are invited to share their contacts, developers could access the entire address book. This means that personal information of individuals not using the app could also be exposed. The agency further warns that some apps may store collected data on servers located in China, where it could be retained indefinitely.#data_privacy #china #federal_bureau_of_investigation #mobile_apps #app_permissions
