San Antonio police warn of rising cryptocurrency scams, prompting one victim to share her story to alert others.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — San Antonio police are warning residents to stay alert as cryptocurrency scams continue to target people in the community.
One victim, Kathy Bushon, is sharing her experience in hopes that others do not fall for the same scheme.
“I don’t want anyone else to face this kind of trauma,” Bushon said.
Bushon lost $2,000 in a cryptocurrency scam and is now encouraging others to think twice before acting on unexpected phone calls.
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“I could afford the $2,000, but so many people can’t afford what these scammers take, and I don’t want anybody else to be hurt,” Bushon said.
Bushon said she received a phone call around 10 a.m. on a workday from someone claiming there was a warrant out for her arrest.
“You’re into what you’re doing. And a random phone call like that just catches you off guard. You’re thinking about other things. Yeah, you’re just like, ‘Oh my God, I’m about to be arrested. What am I gonna do?'” Bushon said.
According to Bushon, the scammers posed as officers with the San Antonio Police Department and told her she had missed jury duty. They claimed she would be arrested unless she paid a large fine.
“The only thing you can feel at that point is complete fear. You rationalize in your head that you haven’t done anything wrong, but the authoritative voice of somebody that says they’re a police officer telling you that there is a warrant for your arrest — you’re gonna believe them,” Bushon said.
The scammers instructed Bushon to pay the alleged fine by depositing cash into a cryptocurrency ATM.
“That sort of triggered something in the back of my head, but he’s still talking to me. He’s still telling me that I need to do this,” Bushon said.
By the time Bushon realized she had been scammed and reported the incident to SAPD, the money was gone.
“Cryptocurrency scams are unique and different because it’s an irreversible transaction,” an SAPD spokesperson said.
In response to the growing number of cryptocurrency scams, the San Antonio City Council recently approved an ordinance requiring businesses with cryptocurrency ATMs to post fraud warning signs near the machines. Businesses that fail to display the required posters could face fines ranging from $100 to $500.
“I feel more vulnerable than I’ve ever felt in my life. I have lost some trust, some ability to trust people, but mostly I feel like I want other people to understand that they don’t have to go through this. There are ways to protect yourself,” Bushon said.
Police advise anyone who receives a suspicious phone call claiming to be from law enforcement or another government agency to hang up and contact the agency directly using an official phone number. They also encourage residents to call 911 so officers can document suspected scam attempts.
SAPD said officers have posted nearly 200 fraud warning signs throughout the city. Business owners with cryptocurrency ATMs can contact the department’s SAFE Unit to request a poster, and an officer will deliver one to their business.