Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Texas

Featured: Every Hour, Another Texas Senior Loses $50,000 to Scammers — In-depth analysis of the elder fraud crisis hitting Texas families.

I. Overview: Texas Seniors & Key Cities

State of Texas

Texas is the second most populous state in the U.S., with an estimated 31.5 million residents as of 2024. Of this population, approximately 4.3 million are aged 65 and older, representing nearly 13.7% of all Texans. As this segment of the population grows, older adults in Texas are becoming more frequent targets for increasingly sophisticated online fraud schemes, especially in fast-growing metropolitan areas.

The three largest cities in Texas, each with substantial senior populations and rising cybercrime reports, are:

  • Houston (approx. 2.3 million people)
  • San Antonio (approx. 1.5 million people)
  • Dallas (approx. 1.3 million people)

These cities are at the frontlines of financial exploitation targeting seniors, requiring stronger community awareness, reporting, and law enforcement coordination.

II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Texas’s Seniors

In 2024, Texas had 9,473 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $489,790,386.

Source: FBI IC3 2024 Annual Report. Texas ranked #2 nationally for elder fraud losses. View national statistics.

Loss by Crime Type

Crime TypeLoss Amount
Investment$308,437,815
Tech Support$48,187,907
Government Impersonation$12,314,608
Romance$36,483,347

III. Emergency & Official Contacts

 Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud Units

1. Houston Police Department – Financial Crimes Division

  • Phone: (713) 884-3131 (non-emergency)
  • Website: www.houstonpolice.org
  • Tip: Request connection to financial or elder fraud investigators.

2. San Antonio Police Department – Financial Crimes Unit

  • Phone: (210) 207-7273 (non-emergency)
  • Website: www.sanantonio.gov/sapd
  • Elder Fraud Reporting: Ask for white collar/financial crimes division.

3. Dallas Police Department – Economic Crimes Division

  • Phone: (214) 671-3001 (non-emergency)
  • Website: www.dallaspolice.net
  • Request: “Report elder financial exploitation.”

 FBI & Federal Support

FBI Houston Field Office

  • Phone: (713) 693-5000
  • Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/houston

FBI Dallas Field Office

  • Phone: (972) 559-5000
  • Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/dallas

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

  • Website: www.ic3.gov
  • Note: File fraud complaints here on behalf of yourself or a loved one.

 Texas Attorney General – Elder Fraud & Abuse

Office of the Texas Attorney General – Elder Exploitation Division

  • Consumer Protection Hotline: (800) 621-0508
  • Website: www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/elder-abuse

They offer:

  • Legal aid for elder financial abuse
  • Statewide enforcement coordination
  • Victim advocacy services

 Additional Official Elder Fraud Resources

Texas Adult Protective Services (APS) 24/7 Hotline

  • Phone: (800) 252-5400
  • Website: www.dfps.texas.gov

Dallas County District Attorney – Elder Financial Abuse Unit

Harris County Protective Services – Elder Abuse Services (Houston)

  • Phone: (713) 394-4000
  • Website: www.hcps.harriscountytx.gov

Texas Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

  • Phone: (888) 341-6187
  • Website: www.txombudsman.org

 Stay Vigilant, Stay Protected

  • Save these numbers somewhere visible.
  • Don’t hesitate to call if you receive suspicious emails, texts, or financial requests.
  • Help others report if they feel unsure or ashamed, scammers count on silence.
  • Visit our Education Center to learn the top red flags, prevention tips, and how to take back control after a scam.
Texas Seal

IV. Learn More: Texas Scam Prevention Guides

Dive deeper into specific scam types targeting Texas seniors:

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