Stillwater-backed bill aims to shut down scam kiosks

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A bipartisan Minnesota Senate bill co-authored by Sen. Karin Housley of Stillwater would ban virtual currency kiosks that have been widely used in scams targeting seniors. The push follows reports of Stillwater residents being victimized and new Washington County efforts to share senior safety tips, as law enforcement statewide warns about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation aims to protect vulnerable seniors in Stillwater and across Minnesota from falling victim to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks. This comes as local authorities work to raise awareness about these predatory practices and equip the community with tools to avoid becoming targets.

The details

The bipartisan bill would prohibit the use of virtual currency kiosks, which have emerged as a common tool for scammers to defraud seniors. These kiosks allow users to convert cash into cryptocurrency, which can then be used to send money to fraudsters. Stillwater residents have reportedly been among those targeted by these schemes, prompting the push for legislative action.

• The bipartisan bill was co-authored by Sen. Karin Housley of Stillwater.
• Law enforcement statewide has been warning about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting seniors.

What’s next

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