Curated news and analysis from independent sources about bank withdrawal restrictions and crypto recovery scams.
Which? reports that over 60% of the UK banking network has shut since 2015, leaving millions without easy access to cash or in-person support.
Read on Which? →ANZ customers describe appointments, interrogations, and branch limits when trying to access their own cash. One customer was restricted to using a Smart ATM with a $2,500 daily cap.
Read on news.com.au →Notices taped to doors told customers that over-the-counter deposits and withdrawals were ending, pushing all cash transactions to Smart ATMs.
Read on 7NEWS →A grandmother was unable to access £60,000 for five months and restricted to £100 a day from ATMs.
Read on The Argus →An elderly tuberculosis patient in Jharkhand could not withdraw Rs 8,000 due to KYC hurdles and died before treatment.
Read on The Indian Express →A customer wanted to withdraw his own money for his son’s motorbike. The bank asked for proof.
Read on LBC →A Senate inquiry found banks had “little incentive” to keep branches open and recommended mandatory consultation and a publicly-owned banking option.
Read on ABC News →S&P Global data shows US branches fell from nearly 100,000 in 2009 to about 77,500 at the end of 2023.
Read on Report Wire →The IC3 received more than 69,000 complaints with a cryptocurrency nexus, reporting over $5.6 billion in losses. Investment fraud accounted for most of the damage.
Read on CNN →Fraudsters pose as federal agents and promise recovery—for an upfront fee paid in crypto.
Read on Crypto Briefing →Deepfake videos, spoofed websites, and fake IC3 portals are being used to revictimize people.
Read on Bitcoin.com →A detailed guide to the playbook, from fake testimonials to upfront fees.
Read on CryptoSafety.io →Explains brand impersonation, fee collection, and how to separate legitimate help from fraud.
Read on Global Ledger →ESET outlines the red flags, including unsolicited contact and untraceable payments.
Read on ESET →Independent journalism on branch closures, cash limits, and customer treatment.
Major banks are quietly removing cash services, leaving customers dependent on Smart ATMs with daily limits and no human support.
Read on ABC News →The branch network has shrunk every year since 2009. The trend is driven by cost cutting, not customer demand.
Read on Bank Director →Consumer guides explain how to escalate complaints, document holds, and approach regulators.
Read on Which? →A Santander customer was asked for proof of purchase before withdrawing £2,500 from his own account.
Read on LBC →Official reports and investigative journalism on the scale of crypto fraud and recovery scams.
The definitive US government report on crypto fraud complaints, losses, and victim demographics.
Read the PDF →Guides from consumer groups explaining the red flags and how to report them.
Read on FTC Consumer Advice →Investigators break down how fake trading platforms build trust and trap victims.
Read on Chainalysis →Agencies warn that criminals impersonate FBI, CFTC, and IRS officials to target prior victims.
Read on Crypto Briefing →