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)
· 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 The San Antonio
The rapid growth of crypto kiosk scams in Texas, particularly in the San Antonio area, raises concerns about the lack of oversight and regulation in the state. With $56.8 million lost to these scams last year, it is clear that fraudsters are exploiting the gap in regulation to target vulnerable individuals. The fact that Texas regulators currently have no oversight over these kiosks makes it easier for scammers to operate undetected. As lawmakers call for regulation, it is crucial that San Antonio residents are aware of these scams and take necessary precautions to protect themselves. The city's large elderly population, like Maria, may be particularly susceptible to these types of scams, making it essential for local authorities to educate and warn residents about the dangers of crypto kiosk scams. By doing so, San Antonio can help prevent further financial losses and protect its citizens from these elaborate schemes.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Ayden Runnels at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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