Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Texas
I. Overview: Texas Seniors & Key Cities
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.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss 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
- Phone: (214) 653-3600
- Website: www.dallascounty.org
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.
Share Your Story
Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.
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