Unveiling Texas’ Scam Capital: Which City Tops the List?

The state of Texas is big and varied, and it has a lot to offer its residents and tourists. But in the Lone Star State, not everything is bigger and better. There is a lot of crime and fraud in some towns in Texas, which makes them unsafe places to live or visit. Houston is one of these towns. Several sources have named it the most scammed city in the state.

What Makes Houston a Scam City?

With more than 2.3 million people living in its metropolitan area, Houston is the biggest and most popular city in Texas. It is also a major center for business, culture, education, and fun, and every year millions of tourists and travelers come to visit. That being said, Houston does have a bad side. It is full of crime and corruption, including scams.

The FBI says that there were 18,907 reports of theft in Houston, Texas, in 2022. Dallas came in second with 13,176 reports, and Austin came in third with 8,202 reports. ID theft, credit card fraud, online scams like phishing, lotto scams, romance scams, and tax scams are some of the most common types of fraud in Houston.

Houston also has a lot of physical crime, which may have something to do with scams. That year, 399 people were killed, 1,671 were raped, 2,838 were robbed, and 6,241 were seriously assaulted. This made Houston the most dangerous place in Texas. Some of these crimes may be done to make money, since crooks may use violence or threats to get money from their victims or competitors.

How to Avoid Scams in Houston?

Anyone can fall for a scam, anywhere, at any time. But there are some things you can do to lower your risk of falling for one in Houston. In Houston, here are some ways to stay away from scams:

1.) Be careful with the information about you and your money. Someone you don’t know or trust should not have your passwords, PINs, bank account information, credit card information, social security number, or any other private information. Do not answer emails, calls, texts, or messages that you did not ask for that ask for your information or give you money, prizes, or deals that seem too good to be true. Do not click on links or files that look like they might have malware or viruses that could damage your device or steal your information.

2.) Learn as much as you can about a deal or trade before you make it. Check to see if the company, group, or person you are working with has a good name and is real. Check for scores, reviews, testimonials, complaints, or alerts from other customers or the government. Check the company’s phone number, email address, website, and social media pages to make sure you can reach them. Don’t send money or pay someone you don’t know or trust, especially if they ask you to use a strange way like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.

3.) Tell the police about any behavior that seems fishy or fraudulent. Get in touch with the cops, the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, or the Texas Attorney General’s Office right away if you think you have been scammed or are being scammed. Give as much proof and information as you can, like the scammer’s name, phone number, email address, or website, the amount of money involved and how it was sent the date and time of the event, and any other information that is important. You can also use the Internet Crime Report Center or the Consumer Sentinel Network to make a report online.

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Conclusion

Many chances and fun things to do can be found in Houston, which is a lively and active city. But the city has a lot of crime and fraud, making it the most scammed place in the state. So, you should be aware of the scams and risks that could be in Houston and be careful around them. You should also take the steps needed to keep your money and yourself safe from crooks. Do not forget that if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is.