safety
Crypto kiosks were used to scam $56 million from Texans last year. Lawmakers are calling for regulation.
By Texas Tribune, Ayden Runnels at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· July 8, 2026
· 11 min read
Maria was standing in front of a cryptocurrency ATM, $5,000 in hand and a moment away from being scammed.Fabricated court documents, supposedly sent by text from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, threatened the 72-year-old with arrest if she didn’t feed the money into the “crypto kiosk” at a gr...
Key takeaway Fabricated court documents, supposedly sent by text from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, threatened the 72-year-old with arrest if she didn’t feed the money into the “crypto kiosk” at a grocery store.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
The rapid growth of crypto kiosk scams in Texas, with nearly 1,200 victims losing $56.8 million last year, has significant implications for Alamo Heights residents. As a community within the San Antonio area, residents may be vulnerable to these elaborate schemes, which often involve fake law enforcement or government agencies. The fact that Texas regulators currently have no oversight over crypto kiosks is particularly concerning, as it creates an environment where fraudsters can easily exploit unsuspecting individuals. Local public safety advocates should be pushing for state lawmakers to take action and establish regulations to prevent these scams. Furthermore, community education and awareness campaigns can help residents recognize the warning signs of these scams, such as requests to feed cash into crypto kiosks or provide personal financial information over the phone. By taking proactive steps, Alamo Heights can help protect its residents from falling victim to these devastating scams.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 11 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Maria was standing in front of a cryptocurrency ATM, $5,000 in hand and a moment away from being scammed.Fabricated court documents, supposedly sent by text from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, threatened the 72-year-old with arrest if she didn’t feed the money into the “crypto kiosk” at a gr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Ayden Runnels at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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