WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Scammers Exposed: Protecting Older Americans from Transnational Crime Networks.”
Durbin first questioned the witnesses about crypto ATM scams involving older Americans. Crypto ATMs look like normal ATMs and can be found in your local grocery stores and gas stations. The big difference is that instead of depositing money with your bank, a crypto ATM allows customers to purchase cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin. Crypto ATM scams led to nearly $247 million in losses in 2024. Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Peter Welch (D-VT)—to help end these scams.
“I had a vaping shop in my hometown of Springfield, Illinois, [and the owner] removed the crypto ATM machine because they were so embarrassed by the older people who came in crying, tearing up, screaming, putting money into a machine, believing they were saving themselves from a criminal prosecution. It is an outrage. Ms. Gunther, [do] you know what I did with my bill? I worked with AARP to do it. Do you support it [the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act]?” asked Durbin.
Jilenne Gunther, National Director of AARP’s BankSafe Initiative, responded that AARP does support Durbin’s bill. She continued to say that AARP has seen firsthand how victims are being “funneled to these crypto ATMs by a variety of criminals.”
Durbin then asked Josh Bercu, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for USTelecom, about scam phone calls.
“When I warn senior citizens who are worried about these scams, [I say] be doubtful of the telephone call, you are not getting that telephone call from the Veterans Administration or the Social Security Administration. They are making it up. They are trying to get you to do something that you shouldn’t do… Is it safe to warn senior citizens to be extremely doubtful and careful when they receive a telephone communication?” Durbin asked.
Mr. Bercu responded that yes, senior citizens should be careful when they receive a telephone call that seems suspicious. He also stressed that you should not give your social security number or passwords to accounts over the phone if they seem suspicious.
Durbin then also asked Brady Finta, Founder and CEO of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, about crypto ATM abuse. Mr. Finta acknowledged that seniors are being abused through crypto ATMs and it is “common in pretty much every transnational elder fraud case now [and] it’s kind of hard to find one without crypto transactions, specifically the ATMs.”
“Some 13 states have put in safeguards by their state law [regarding crypto ATMs]. Because I cannot offer an amendment to the [GENIUS Act], there will be no amendments, I won’t be able to raise the issue on a national basis. We ought to do it once and for all… We’re trying to establish some safety when it comes to these scam transactions,” said Durbin.
Today, the Senate is scheduled to vote on passage of the GENIUS Act, legislation to regulate the stablecoin market. The Senate is voting on passage without a single vote on amendments—including Durbin’s amendment to crack down on crypto ATM operators who have facilitated scam that have defrauded seniors out of their life savings.
Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
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