Have You Been a Victim of Texas’ Most Common Cybercrimes?

The internet can be a wonderful place for making new friends, accessing a wealth of knowledge, and ordering items with a touch of a button, but there's also a darker side to the world wide web.

Some criminals out there seek to prey on unsuspecting internet users through what is referred to as cybercrimes. People use the internet every day, so these criminals have a near limitless supply of potential victims.

In Texas, there are some cybercrimes that we see more so than others, so let's go through some of the most common forms in the Lone Star State, according to Philip D. Ray Law.

Common Cybercrimes in Texas

Identity Theft

At the top of the list is identity theft. This occurs when criminals attempt to use someone's personal information to access banking passwords or other private accounts. They then use this info either for themselves or they sell it to others on the dark web.

You should regularly check your personal accounts and report any suspicious activity, no matter how small.

Phishing

This form of cybercrime is very common within businesses and organizations. Phishing is where scammers impersonate legitimate authorities like police officers, IT departments, or loved ones.

They then urgently ask the victim to click on a dangerous link to address whatever fake problem they are referencing (overdue tickets, grandma in the hospital, computer virus, etc.).

Crimes Involving Children

Some of the worst cybercrimes are the ones that involve children. Creating and selling child pornography is a felony in Texas, but that doesn't stop countless criminals from doing so.

Also, maintaining contact with a minor online through chats or emails with intent to engage in sexual acts can land someone in a load of trouble. This is called online solicitation of a minor and can lead to a second degree felony in Texas.

These are just a couple of online crimes, but keep scrolling for the full list of most common cybercrimes in the State of Texas. 👇