On May 13, the New Hampshire Department of Finance issued a public warning to residents about an increasing wave of scam phone calls involving Bitcoin.
These fraudulent calls involve individuals impersonating government officials, using spoofed phone numbers that appear to be from official sources.
The scammers claim that the victim’s identity has been compromised and persuade them to “protect” their assets by transferring money in the form of Bitcoin to avoid supposed legal or financial consequences.
The tactic is part of a broader trend of crypto-related scams targeting unsuspecting individuals using fear and urgency.
Treasury Clarifies: Government Will Never Request Bitcoin Payments
In its statement, the Department of Finance stressed that no legitimate government agency will ever ask for payment in Bitcoin or any form of cryptocurrency.
Officials urged residents to hang up immediately if contacted by such callers and report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), as well as local law enforcement.
The warning aims to prevent further financial losses and reinforce public awareness amid rising scam activity.
These scams often rely on sophisticated caller ID spoofing and emotionally manipulative scripts to exploit victims’ trust and confusion.
Warning Follows New Hampshire’s Landmark Bitcoin Legislation
Interestingly, the scam warning came just a week after New Hampshire made headlines by becoming the first U.S. state to pass a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” law.
On May 6, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 302, which allows the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of New Hampshire’s public funds in Bitcoin and other digital assets with market capitalizations exceeding $500 billion.
Currently, only Bitcoin meets that criterion. This legislative move signals a growing state-level interest in integrating digital assets into public financial planning, aimed at modernizing reserves and diversifying holdings.
Also Read: Canadian Authorities Issues Warning About CanCap Project Amid Crypto Investment Scam Concerns
Balancing Crypto Innovation with Public Protection
As New Hampshire positions itself at the forefront of digital asset integration, the state’s finance officials are keenly aware of the risks associated with widespread cryptocurrency adoption.
The recent scam alert underscores the importance of public education and vigilant consumer behavior in an evolving digital economy.
While the state embraces Bitcoin as a potential strategic asset, authorities are emphasizing the need to build secure infrastructure and raise awareness about scams to protect residents from fraud.
Officials continue to encourage victims to come forward, highlighting the critical role of timely reporting in combating cybercrime and maintaining public trust in emerging financial systems.