The Manheim Township Police Department has received several recent reports of people being victims of a Bitcoin cryptocurrency scam involving Apple Pay and the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation).  The scam involves the victim receiving a text message from someone claiming to be from the Apple Pay Fraud Department saying that their Apple Pay account has been compromised.  After being given a phone number to call and speak to an Apple Pay 'representative', the victim is then given another phone number to call the FDIC so that they can secure their other financial accounts from further fraudulent activity.  The FDIC 'representative' then advises the victim on how to set up a Bitcoin account and instructs them to transfer their money to the Bitcoin account.  Once the victim deposits the money into the Bitcoin account using a Bitcoin ATM, the scammer then withdraws the money.

Banks, credit card companies, the FDIC, and other federal agencies do not use Bitcoin, gift cards, etc. for financial transactions!

If you receive an unsolicited phone call, hang up immediately and do not respond to any unsolicited text messages.  Never provide any personal or financial information over the phone or via text message/social media messaging apps.

MEDIA POST CONTACT: Lieutenant Michael T. Piacentino, W: 717-569-6401 Ext: 1583, C: 717-340-2130, piacentinom@manheimtownshippolice.org