SAN ANTONIO – City Council members are calling for a special meeting to consider a new ordinance aimed at slowing a growing wave of cryptocurrency ATM scams that local officials say is costing victims tens of thousands of dollars at a time.
Councilmembers Teri Castillo (District 5), Marina Alderete Gavito (District 7), and Marc Whyte (District 10) recently submitted a three-signature memo requesting a special meeting to discuss the potential adoption of a Digital Asset Fraud Prevention Ordinance, according to a release dated Feb. 27, 2026.
The proposed ordinance would require any person or business operating or housing a functioning crypto Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or Bitcoin Teller Machine (BTM) to post signage warning users of a potential scam.
“There has been a steep rise in scammers posing as government employees and using fake warrants to lead victims to retail establishments where there are crypto ATMs or Bitcoin Teller Machines (BTMs),” Castillo said. “These ploys make victims think they must pay a government fine to avoid arrest when they are actually being tricked into purchasing bitcoin.”
In a letter to the San Antonio mayor and City Council, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar referenced Bexar County Sheriff’s Office statistics showing victims typically lose $23,000 to $25,000 per transaction. The data also showed the total amounts tied to this type of crime rising sharply from nearly $10,000 in 2020 to well over $300,000 in 2025.
“Scammers are using technology against residents in our city and county on a daily basis,” Salazar said. “I’m looking forward to working with our City Council to provide a solution that will allow us to prevent anyone else from falling victim to these criminals.”
Salazar’s letter also referenced an ordinance passed in the City of Omaha that helped curb these scams across Omaha, according to Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson.
Whyte said the proposed signage requirement is a public safety issue. “My number one goal is public safety. Simple, clear warnings at ATMs are essential to protecting San Antonio residents from financial scams,” he said.
Alderete Gavito said older adults have been particularly impacted. “Too many San Antonians, especially older adults, have fallen victim to Bitcoin ATM scams, often from scammers maliciously posing as law enforcement,” she said. “Requiring clear signage will warn users of these tactics and help protect their savings.”
Salazar also offered to handle printing any signage for crypto ATMs and BTMs through the new Bexar County Jail Print Shop.
