Alvin, TX – We’ve all gotten strange texts or unexpected calls claiming to be from our bank, a court, or even law enforcement. Some look convincing, use your real name, or include account details but not all are legitimate.
In 2025, Americans reported over 2.37 million fraud cases, losing more than $12.2 billion.
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In Texas alone, more than 156,000 reports have been filed, with nearly $925 million in losses. Imposter incidents, where criminals pose as banks, courts, or law enforcement, are the most common.
Real story: $75,000 gone
An Alvin couple is warning others after scammers posing as Wells Fargo representatives convinced them to drain their bank accounts — costing them more than $75,000.
The couple, who asked not to be identified, told KPRC 2 Reporter Re’Chelle Turner they received a text message asking if they had made a transaction at Target #72 for $388.61, followed by the prompt: Reply YES or NO.
They replied “No” and quickly received another message stating, “An agent will contact you to further assist.”
“They immediately called her and said they were Jason White from the Wells Fargo Fraud Department and that our bank account had been compromised,” the couple said.
Believing the threat was real, the scammers told them their accounts would be shut down and replaced with new ones and instructed them to withdraw their money.
“So basically, my wife panicked and thought our bank had been compromised. He said they would shut our accounts down and open new ones, and they directed us to pull the money out,” the couple said.
The fraudsters then instructed them to send money through digital payment platforms.
“They had us send $14,500 through Cash App,” the couple said.
They also showed KPRC 2 receipts proving they sent more than $60,000 through gift cards- a common tactic used by scammers because the money is nearly impossible to recover once transferred.
“They also told us our bank was against us that there was an inside job,” the couple added.
That, experts say, is another major red flag.
The moment someone tells you not to trust your bank, that’s when you should hang up.
Their message to others is simple:
“Just contact your bank if you feel that something is fishy,” the couple said.
The couple has filed a police report and has contacted Wells Fargo, Apple, and Cash App. So far, they have not been able to recover any of the money.
These criminals often use urgency and fear to override judgment. It can happen to anyone and it can happen fast.
🚩 How to spot a fake text
Red flags to watch for:
- Urgency + fear – Messages like “Your account is frozen!” or “Final notice before legal action!” are designed to make you act quickly.
- Unexpected link – Domains like WellsFargo-alerts.com, TxTag-payment.net, or CourtFees-now.org may look real but are fraudulent. Check for spelling errors or unusual domains.
- Requests for unusual payment methods – Gift cards, cryptocurrency, Zelle, or Venmo. Legitimate banks and courts will not ask for money this way.
- “Wrong number” texts – For example, “Hey, is this Amanda? We met last summer.” These can lead to romance or investment schemes.
- Verification code requests – Anyone asking you to read a 2FA code is likely trying to access your accounts.
What to Do Instead:
- Do NOT click links
- Do NOT respond (even “STOP”)
- Screenshot the message
- Go directly to the official website (type the URL yourself)
- Call the number on the back of your debit/credit card
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your carrier
🚩 How to spot a fake call
Red flags to watch for:
- Threats of arrest – “You’ll be arrested if you don’t pay” is not legitimate. Courts send jury summons by mail, not phone calls.
- Already knows your name – Criminals can buy personal info online; this doesn’t mean they’re authentic.
- Tell you not to hang up – Real law enforcement will never demand you stay on the line.
- Requests cryptocurrency or wire transfers – No government agency accepts Bitcoin or other crypto for fines or warrants.
- Caller ID appears legitimate – Fraudsters can fake phone numbers, including your bank’s number.
What to do instead:
- Hang up immediately
- Wait a few minutes
- Call the agency directly using official contact info
- Contact your bank if you shared any information
If you already shared financial information:
- Freeze your cards
- Change your passwords
- Contact your bank’s fraud department immediately
Why this matters
- Texans have filed more than 49,000 reports of imposter activity in 2025 alone.
- Nationwide, the median reported loss is $454, showing that even smaller incidents can be costly.
What happened to the Alvin couple isn’t unique. Experts say incidents like these are happening with alarming frequency, leaving victims not only financially impacted but also facing long-lasting stress and disruption.