THANKS FOR STAYING WITH US. WE ARE FOLLOWING SEVERAL TOP STORIES RIGHT NOW, AND WE START IN DENTON, WHERE THE TOWN’S NOW FORMER FIRE CHIEF IS CHARGED WITH INSURANCE FRAUD. WE BROUGHT THIS TO YOU AS BREAKING NEWS AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR. ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, OFFICERS ARRESTED BRANDON DORSETT ON FRIDAY. AN AGENTS SAY HE FALSELY REPORTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING RECORDS AND ROSTERS BETWEEN MARCH OF 2021 AND UP UNTIL ONE DAY BEFORE HE WAS ARRESTED. HE’S FACING THREE CHARGES, ALL FELONIES, AND IS BACK IN COURT NEXT MONTH. HE WAS RELEASED FROM JAIL ON A $10,000 BOND. 12 INVESTIGATES HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO STORY FOR MONTHS NOW. YOU CAN FIND OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE ON OUR WEBSITE. FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED MULTIPLE CURRENT OR FORMER LOUISIANA POLICE CHIEFS WITH TAKING BRIBES IN A FRAUD SCHEME, ACCORDING TO FEDERAL PROSECUTORS. THE LEADERS WERE PAID TO FILE FALSE POLICE REPORTS THAT WOULD ALLOW NON-CITIZENS TO SEEK A VISA THAT ALLOWS CERTAIN CRIME VICTIMS STAY IN THE U.S. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SAY THE POLICE OFFICIALS WERE PAID $5,000 EACH TIME THEY PROVIDED A FALSIFIED REPORT. HE SAYS THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS. SO FAR, FIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CASE. IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN SURRY AND ALAMANCE COUNTY ARE CLEANING UP DAMAGE AFTER GETTING HIT WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN AND FLOODING LAST NIGHT. THE BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS CREWS IN ALAMANCE COUNTY RESPONDED TO NINE WEATHER RELATED CALLS BETWEEN 530 AND 7:00. IN SURRY COUNTY, WE’RE TOLD MORE THAN 30 WEATHER RELATED CALLS WERE MADE LAST NIGHT. OUR SARAH SOWERS SPOKE TO THE MOUNT AIRY FIRE CAPTAIN ABOUT HIS DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE SEVERE WEATHER, AND HE SHARES WHAT MAKES THE EVENT OUT O
North Carolina officials unite to tackle bitcoin ATM scams
Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall have joined forces with AARP, the Wilmington Police Department, and United Way NC/NC 211 to launch a statewide effort to prevent bitcoin and cryptocurrency ATM scams, which can result in victims losing over $100,000, with recovery being extremely difficult.“We’re hearing devastating reports of people losing their life savings through a crypto ATM scam,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “That’s why we’re working with partners across the state to help people recognize the signs of these scams. We want to help people protect their money from scammers.”Cryptocurrency ATMs, or crypto ATMs, can be found throughout North Carolina, often near convenience stores, gas stations, or smoke shops. Scams happen when scammers direct their targets to use the crypto ATM to transfer cash or money from their bank account into cryptocurrency, and then send that cryptocurrency to a scammer’s account. Once a scammer has that cryptocurrency, they can exchange it back to cash and keep it.“With annual losses in cryptocurrency-related financial fraud approaching $6 billion, the Secretary of State’s Office is proud to join forces with these great partner agencies in raising public awareness,” said Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. “It's crucial that North Carolina’s investing public have the tools to spot, stop and report scams related to cryptocurrency ATMs.” Scammers nearly always seek to form emotional or romantic relationships with their targets. They will often target older people who are more vulnerable and less likely to report losses to authorities. The Department of Justice, Secretary of State, AARP, and United Way NC/NC 211 are working with law enforcement and businesses to help spread awareness about these scams and to help people recognize the signs of these scams so they can intervene.“At 211, we’re seeing firsthand how scammers are evolving—and how quickly they’re targeting vulnerable North Carolinians through tactics like cryptocurrency ATM fraud,” said United Way NC and NC 211 President and CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher. “By calling 211, residents can speak with trained specialists who can guide them through suspicious situations and connect them with law enforcement or consumer protection agencies. We’re proud to be part of this statewide effort to raise awareness and protect our communities.” Here’s what to look out for:An older adult is using the crypto ATM while someone on the phone is talking to them.An older adult tells you they need to withdraw cash immediately from their bank account to send to someone who called them.Someone says a government official (ex. law enforcement) told them to pay a fine with crypto. Remind them that the government NEVER accepts crypto as payment.Anyone who is acting stressed, scared, or emotional may be receiving threats.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall have joined forces with AARP, the Wilmington Police Department, and United Way NC/NC 211 to launch a statewide effort to prevent bitcoin and cryptocurrency ATM scams, which can result in victims losing over $100,000, with recovery being extremely difficult.
“We’re hearing devastating reports of people losing their life savings through a crypto ATM scam,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “That’s why we’re working with partners across the state to help people recognize the signs of these scams. We want to help people protect their money from scammers.”
Cryptocurrency ATMs, or crypto ATMs, can be found throughout North Carolina, often near convenience stores, gas stations, or smoke shops. Scams happen when scammers direct their targets to use the crypto ATM to transfer cash or money from their bank account into cryptocurrency, and then send that cryptocurrency to a scammer’s account. Once a scammer has that cryptocurrency, they can exchange it back to cash and keep it.
“With annual losses in cryptocurrency-related financial fraud approaching $6 billion, the Secretary of State’s Office is proud to join forces with these great partner agencies in raising public awareness,” said Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. “It's crucial that North Carolina’s investing public have the tools to spot, stop and report scams related to cryptocurrency ATMs.”
Scammers nearly always seek to form emotional or romantic relationships with their targets. They will often target older people who are more vulnerable and less likely to report losses to authorities. The Department of Justice, Secretary of State, AARP, and United Way NC/NC 211 are working with law enforcement and businesses to help spread awareness about these scams and to help people recognize the signs of these scams so they can intervene.
“At 211, we’re seeing firsthand how scammers are evolving—and how quickly they’re targeting vulnerable North Carolinians through tactics like cryptocurrency ATM fraud,” said United Way NC and NC 211 President and CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher. “By calling 211, residents can speak with trained specialists who can guide them through suspicious situations and connect them with law enforcement or consumer protection agencies. We’re proud to be part of this statewide effort to raise awareness and protect our communities.”
Here’s what to look out for:
- An older adult is using the crypto ATM while someone on the phone is talking to them.
- An older adult tells you they need to withdraw cash immediately from their bank account to send to someone who called them.
- Someone says a government official (ex. law enforcement) told them to pay a fine with crypto. Remind them that the government NEVER accepts crypto as payment.
- Anyone who is acting stressed, scared, or emotional may be receiving threats.
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