San Antonio resident Kathy Bushon says a phone call that appeared to come from the San Antonio Police Department ended with her out $2,000 and shaken. The caller insisted she had skipped jury duty, claimed a warrant had been issued, and warned she would be arrested unless she paid a hefty fine. While still on the line, she says she followed instructions to a cryptocurrency ATM at a 7‑Eleven and turned over the cash. Her loss has now triggered fresh city and police warnings posted on crypto kiosks across San Antonio as officials lean into public education efforts.
How the call pushed her to a crypto ATM
Bushon told KSAT the man on the phone claimed she owed a $6,000 fine and ordered her to stay on the call. When she said she did not have that much money, she says he offered to transfer her to attorneys and then walked her through how to convert cash to cryptocurrency. Still connected to the caller, she used the cryptocurrency machine at a 7‑Eleven and sent $2,000 before realizing it was a scam. “The only thing you can feel at that point is complete fear,” Bushon said.
SAPD and the city step in
City officials and SAPD have responded by posting fraud alerts and handing out informational posters at crypto kiosks. According to the City of San Antonio’s crime‑prevention page, the city recently ordered businesses that operate virtual‑currency kiosks to display SAPD fraud‑prevention signage next to the machines and warned that owners who do not comply could face fines. The same city guidance also underscores that “no government agency or utility company will ever request payment through Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.”
Why crypto ATMs are a favored tool for scammers
Federal data show this tactic is on the rise. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 13,460 complaints tied to cryptocurrency ATMs or kiosks in 2025, with about $389 million in losses, a sharp year‑over‑year jump, and older adults making up a large portion of those losses. The IC3 report also advises victims to file an online complaint, and the agency’s annual report and complaint portal explain how those tips help law enforcement decide where to focus resources. The FBI and the IC3 complaint page provide filing details.
How to protect yourself and where to report
Officials urge anyone who gets a call like Bushon’s to hang up and contact police using official numbers. SAPD’s non‑emergency line is listed on the city site as 210‑207‑7273, and residents can also dial 3‑1‑1 for city services. The city notes that bitcoin and other cryptocurrency payments are irreversible, so money sent to scam wallets is usually gone for good. Similar jury‑duty and crypto‑ATM shakedowns have surfaced around the country, including a recent incident in which fake deputies marched her to a crypto ATM, a reminder to verify any frightening call by using publicly listed government phone numbers before sending a dime.
