Thinking of getting into the increasingly popular cryptocurrency craze? Be especially careful when using crypto ATMs, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and AARP Florida warn.

Crypto ATMs, known commonly as bitcoin ATMs, or BTMs, are becoming more common across the country and in Florida. They enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like bitcoin using cash or debit cards.

But there’s been a rise in fraud cases involving the machines, particularly against seniors, prompting federal and state lawmakers to file legislation to better regulate them. The Federal Trade Commission reported more than $65 million in fraud losses at BTMs in the first half of 2024, 540% more than in all of 2020.

Until more stringent regulations are passed in the Sunshine State, residents need to be aware of the dangers of using BTMs, said Mike Duffey, FDLE Cyber and Technology Bureau Special Agent in Charge.

“Crypto ATMs are often used in online crypto scams, and victims can lose thousands of dollars thinking their deposits are safe,” Duffey said in a statement.

“Usually located inside convenience stores, these ATMs take cash deposits which are converted into cryptocurrency. Criminals can exploit these crypto ATMs and redirect a citizen’s deposits to the criminal’s own account, where the digital currency is often unrecoverable.”

Duffey cautioned Floridians to be especially cautious when dealing with people they just met online.

“(Ask) yourself this question: Why do the monies have to be sent in the form of cryptocurrency?” he said. “(Take) the time to validate information on the individual you’re talking with, and, before you deposit any monies into a crypto ATM, please discuss the situation with your family and friends or reach out to your local law enforcement for advice.”

In a joint news release with FLDE, AARP Florida offered three safety tips:

— Government agencies, like law enforcement, will never ask for payments in crypto.

— Avoid using QR codes shared via text or email while using BTMs.

— BTMs are not a safe way to “protect” money from being stolen or seized.

Concern about BTM scams have mounted in recent years.

On Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois announced he was filing the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act. The measure would prevent new users from spending more than $2,000 in a day or $10,000 in a two-week period at the kiosks. It would also compel companies to speak directly with new customers who want to make transactions over $500 and require them to provide full refunds to users who file police reports and inform the companies of suspected fraud within 30 days of a transaction.

State lawmakers have filed legislation to address the issue too. One such bill in Arizona, sponsored by Republican state Reps. David Marshall and Michael Way, would limit how much money users can put into BTMs and require operators to be more transparent about the fees they charge.

Attorneys General have also sounded the alarm. An investigation that Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird’s Office commenced in late 2023 found that more than 96% of the money Iowans reportedly sent through two BTM operators, Bitcoin Depot and CoinFlip — the latter of which holds a large share of the BTM market in Florida — were scam transactions.

An overwhelming share of the scams targeted people 60 and older, Bird’s Office said.

On Wednesday, Bird announced lawsuits against both BTM companies, which she accused of fleecing Iowans for millions of dollars.

“Con artists are evil and will stop at nothing to steal everything you have,” Bird said in a statement. “We already know that they target older Iowans, but now it seems that they even hunt through obituaries to target widows. They convince these older women that they need help, and then send their victims to crypto ATMs. And the crypto ATM companies take a cut of the profits. It’s not just wrong, it’s illegal.”

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Republican lawmakers are backing bills that aim to streamline and support the growth of apprenticeship programs to address workforce needs in Florida.

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie and Naples Republican Rep. Lauren Melo filed the new measures (SB 1458, HB 681). The bills would create and amend several Florida statutes and would establish a transparent and fair funding framework for registered apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and workforce development.

This framework aims to ease collaboration among all participants, including trainees, employers, local educational agencies, educational institutions and programs, associations, related technical instruction providers, sponsors and other qualifying entities.

Lawmakers are further aiming to simplify funding allocation, improve program accessibility and promote adaptable program expansion to address the state’s workforce needs, as well as empower Florida residents to pursue high-paying careers which would bolster the state’s economic growth.

Israel Silva, the Southeast Region Training Manager for MasTec Utility Services wrote in a recent op-ed published by Florida Politics that apprenticeships are crucial for keeping communities strong and resilient.

“For Floridians who want to build something tangible and lasting, apprenticeships offer a pathway to meaningful careers without the burden of student debt,” Silva said. “These programs combine hands-on training with technical education, allowing participants to earn a paycheck while developing the skills they need to succeed. Apprenticeships provide real-world experience from day one, equipping workers with the knowledge and ability to adapt to challenges.”

According to the bills, programs would receive funding based on student enrollment, while one Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) would represent 900 instructional hours. Different weighted funding rates would apply to on-the-job training hours and related technical instruction hours and would be adjusted annually based on economic indicators.

Additional funding could be provided for programs who are serving high-demand occupations. Programs would further be able to choose to partner with a local education agency or receive funding directly from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Local educational agencies would be restricted from imposing additional fees or withhold additional funds beyond an agreed upon amount.

FDOE would be responsible for creating standard contracts and issue voluntary guidelines to encourage program expansion, particularly in high-demand occupations. However, the program would need to establish enrollment limits and submit annual reports to FDOE.

Collaboration with workforce development partners would be required, including CareerSource Florida, to align programs with broader economic and labor goals. The funding formula would be used for programs beginning in Fiscal Year 2026-27, while the State Board of Education would adopt rules to implement the funding formula.

If passed, the bill would come into effect July 1.

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Miami Beach Commissioner Laura Dominguez is proud of the work she’s done as an elected official over the past two years, and she has no intention of stopping.

Dominguez just filed to run for re-election to the Commission’s Group 2 seat. She’s the first — and, so far, only — candidate in the contest.

“Serving as your Commissioner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Dominguez said in a statement.

“Since taking office, I have worked to make our city safer, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of our residents. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and now, I’m running for re-election to continue the progress we’ve made together.”

Dominguez, a 53-year-old Democrat, won a race to finish the elected term of her late partner, Mark Samuelian, on the seven-seat City Commission in 2022. She has since led initiatives to convert transient properties into residential spaces, advance resiliency efforts and worked to eliminate wasteful government spending.

Her campaign website lists nearly 60 accomplishments, including her sponsorship of measures to roll back alcohol sales in certain parts of the city to 2 a.m., expand a noise-reduction and environmental pollution ban, back LGBTQ initiatives and revise local code enforcement to reduce the cost of compliance.

She is Chair of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, where she’s focused on reducing crime, expanding police resources and ramping up law enforcement efforts during peak tourism seasons.

Her other community involvements include serving as a Board member of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and the local chapter of the World Affairs Council.

A Cuban American born in Miami-Dade County, Dominguez worked in management for a quarter-century in the cruise and travel industry before launching a media and marketing company, LD Digital Strategies, in July 2020.

Before her election to the City Commission, she served on several condo and homeowner association boards.

“Miami Beach deserves elected leaders who listen, take action, and deliver real results,” she said in a post that Miami’s Community News published Thursday. “I am running a grassroots campaign because I believe in a city where residents come first, where families feel safe, businesses can thrive, and our community continues to flourish.”

Dominguez is one of four Miami Beach candidates the city’s chapter of the Democratic Party is backing this year. Others include Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez for Mayor, Commissioner Alex Fernandez and Miami Design Preservation League Executive Director Daniel Ciraldo, who is running to succeed Rosen Gonzalez in the Group 1 seat.

As of Thursday afternoon, Dominguez and Ciraldo are the only ones of that group who are officially running, city Clerk records show.

Ciraldo, a Democrat, faces two Republican opponents: lawyer and media personality Monroe Mann and former Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee member Luidgi Mary.

No-party candidate Victor Rosario, an entrepreneur and rideshare driver, was the only candidate listed as running for Mayor, a job now held by Steven Meiner, a past City Commissioner who switched from Republican to no party in 2018.

The Miami Beach General Election is on Nov. 4.

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