PITTSBURGH \u2014 Allegheny County Sheriff Kraus announced that scam warning placards have been attached to ATMs in Downtown Pittsburgh court facilities to protect visitors from financial fraud. <\/p>\n
The placards instruct individuals to hang up immediately if a caller demands monetary deposits under threat of arrest.<\/p>\n
The posted warnings address phone scams where callers direct victims to stay on the line until funds are deposited into an ATM or a cryptocurrency kiosk. <\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>> Victim loses $32K in scam where caller impersonated Allegheny County Sheriff\u2019s deputy<\/a><\/p>\n The signs reinforce that the sheriff\u2019s office, the courts and all other law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone using cryptocurrency, remote ATM access, gift cards or QR codes.<\/p>\n Placards have been placed above ATMs in the Treasurer\u2019s Office inside the courthouse, at two locations within the Family Court Facility and in the County Office Building. Additional warning signs are posted at security checkpoints throughout the courthouse.<\/p>\n Sheriff Kraus detailed the high-pressure strategies used by fraudsters to manipulate potential victims. \u201cScammers employ high-pressure tactics and use official-looking documents to increase the stress levels in victims to make them feel they have no choice but to comply,\u201d Kraus said. \u201cThese warnings are designed to help potential victims realize what is happening and give them the confidence to end the call and remove themselves from a situation that could result in them losing thousands of dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n