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 affiliate) — San Antonio
· 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 Terrell Hills News
The rapid growth of crypto kiosk scams in Texas, including the San Antonio area, has significant implications for local residents, particularly seniors and those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency. As lawmakers consider regulation, Terrell Hills residents should be aware of the potential risks associated with these machines, which can be found in public locations such as grocery stores. The fact that scammers are using sophisticated tactics, including fake court documents and phone numbers that appear to belong to local authorities, makes it even more crucial for residents to be vigilant. With $56.8 million lost to these scams last year, it is likely that some Terrell Hills residents have already fallen victim, and others may be targeted in the future. As the city's leaders consider how to address this issue, they should prioritize education and awareness campaigns to help prevent further losses and protect vulnerable members of the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills 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 affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
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 affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Ayden Runnels at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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