San Antonio Debit Card Scam Targeted 75-Year-Old Hospital Patient, Police Say

Police seek tips after caller allegedly posed as credit union employee

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — San Antonio police and Crime Stoppers are searching for a person accused of deceiving a 75-year-old woman recovering from surgery at North Central Baptist Hospital and taking her debit card and personal identification number, authorities said. The alleged San Antonio debit card scam began June 28 while the woman was heavily medicated after surgery, according to a Crime Stoppers news release.

Investigators said the woman received a telephone call at the hospital from someone who claimed to be an employee of Security Service Federal Credit Union. The caller allegedly told her that her debit card had been compromised.

Crime Stoppers said the suspect then went to the hospital and provided the woman with what was described as a temporary debit card. In return, the suspect allegedly obtained the victim's actual debit card and PIN.

The card was later used at ATMs and retail businesses near the hospital, according to the release. Authorities said the transactions caused a substantial financial loss for the woman, though they did not disclose the total amount taken or say whether a suspect had been identified.

Credit union warns customers about impersonation tactics

Security Service Federal Credit Union said it was deeply concerned by the reported encounter and warned that fraudsters are increasingly using caller-ID spoofing and false identities to convince victims that their accounts are at risk.

“Scammers are increasingly aggressive, spoofing caller ID and impersonating banks and credit unions to steal money,” the credit union said in a statement provided to KSAT. The institution said it will not call, text or arrive in person to request a customer's debit card, PIN, account number, password, one-time passcode or remote access to a device.

The case underscores a common fraud pattern in which criminals create urgency by claiming that a bank card or account has been compromised. Older adults and people in medical settings can be particularly vulnerable when they are distracted, ill or unable to independently verify unexpected requests for financial information.

Customers who believe they may be dealing with a scam should contact their financial institution using a verified phone number rather than a number supplied by an unsolicited caller. Security Service Federal Credit Union said customers can call 1-888-415-7878 for assistance.

Reward offered for information leading to an arrest

Crime Stoppers said it may pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Tips must be submitted directly through Crime Stoppers to qualify for a potential reward.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers of San Antonio at 210-224-7867. KSAT reported that it sought comment from North Central Baptist Hospital but had not received a response as of Sunday afternoon. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced an arrest.