ICYMI: Senator Hassan Warns Granite Staters About Recent Cryptocurrency Scams

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan held a forum on cryptocurrency scams to increase awareness and highlight steps that Granite Staters can take to protect themselves. Cryptocurrency scams are on the rise in New Hampshire, and as Senator Hassan discussed with members of the Hampton Police Department, investigators from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, as well as other officials and Granite Staters, anyone who receives a suspicious phone or text message should contact local police to verify its authenticity before transferring any funds or sharing bank account information.  

Read more from NHPR here or below:

NHPR: ‘They’re just that good.’ Cryptocurrency scams on the rise in NH

By Todd Bookman

Police in Hampton are responding to a wave of recent complaints from residents who have fallen victim to cryptocurrency scams and say that the scammers’ level of sophistication and organization are concerning.

During a forum Friday inside Hampton Police headquarters, law enforcement officials estimated that losses for residents in just the past two years now exceed $2 million — and that’s only from victims who have come forward.

[…]

Friday’s forum was organized by Sen. Maggie Hassan, who said she was recently targeted by a scammer pretending to be from her pharmacy.

“It’s not your fault if you’re scammed, and we want to hold the scammers accountable,” said Hassan.

[…]

Hampton police officials said their agency has invested resources and been trained to better understand how to respond to cryptocurrency scams. Investigators from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office also participated in the forum, and spoke of the need to alert the public about possible red flags.

Hassan said that she would consider supporting federal legislation that regulates cryptocurrency exchanges in ways similar to how big banks are regulated, so that a paper trail could help victims get at least a share of their money back.

“If we are going to move into a very cryptocurrency friendly economy and society, we are going to have to have some safeguards in place,” said Hassan.

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