Scam reports increased in 2025 by 118 percent, doubling what was reported in 2024, according to the Better Business Bureau.
TEXAS, USA — Texas residents lost a combined $22 million in scams reported in 2025, according to a release from the Better Business Bureau.
The BBB reports that Texas residents reported losing over $22 million in scams, the highest the state has seen.
Scammers are changing the ways in which they reach people and taking more money while they’re at it, officials say.
“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and more aggressive,” said Jason Meza, senior director of media relations and community engagement for BBB. “We are seeing both larger individual losses and a surge in reports of scams that reach people through the platforms they use every day, including social media, text messaging and online marketplaces.”
According to the BBB, high-dollar scams like investments continue to rise, while everyday shopping and job scams are affecting more households.
Scam reports increased in 2025 by 118 percent, doubling what was reported in 2024.
These are the top five scams reported by the BBB in Texas in 2025:
Investment scams were the costliest for Texans in 2025, with more than $8.6 million in reported losses and an average loss of $9,300 per victim. Cryptocurrency was the most common payment method, making recovery difficult. Losses surged from $2 million in 2024, a roughly 330% increase. These scams often begin with unsolicited messages promising guaranteed or fast returns, then shift to private conversations where victims are pressured to send cryptocurrency.Online purchase scams resulted in more than $3 million in reported losses and generated over 2,400 reports, making it one of the most frequently reported scam types. Social media was the most common way victims encountered these scams. Reported dollars lost more than doubled in just one year. Scammers may post fake products or deeply discounted items on social media and online marketplaces, take payment and either send nothing or counterfeit goods, leaving buyers with little recourse.Employment scams cost Texans more than $2.4 million in 2025, with over 2,000 reports submitted. Text messages were the leading way scammers contacted victims, often posing as recruiters or companies offering remote work. Reports rose sharply with a 93% increase, showing that job seekers remained a major target. Fraudsters pose as recruiters offering remote or flexible jobs, then ask for personal information, upfront fees or send fake checks tied to equipment purchases or task-based pay schemes.Debt collection scams led to more than $2 million in reported losses across over 700 reports. Most victims said they were contacted by phone. Scammers pretend to be collection agencies or government offices, use threats of arrest or legal action and demand immediate payment, often asking for gift cards, wire transfers or other hard-to-trace methods.Cryptocurrency scams accounted for $1.6 million in reported losses in 2025, with the average victim losing about $2,000. These scams often involve fake investment platforms, impersonation schemes or online contacts who build trust before convincing victims to move money into crypto. Once funds are transferred, transactions are difficult to trace or reverse, making recovery unlikely and losses especially damaging.
Other trends that are growing but did not see as dramatic of an increase are fake invoices and supplier scams, charity scams, and trusted organizations looking for a quick payment scam.