Texas’s path from Mexican rule to the Republic and U.S. statehood was forged by settlers, Tejanos, and iconic battles. From Stephen Austin’s colonies to the Alamo and San Jacinto, the struggle shaped national debates over slavery and expansion, culminating in annexation on December 29, 1845.
Criminals prefer Houston because of the sheer volume of transactions. In a busy store during the December rush, cashiers move through lines as quickly as possible. They rarely have the time to inspect every individual card for a sticker or a slightly raised edge. Scammers exploit this speed, knowing that the ‘human element’ is the weakest link in the retail chain. While the technology behind the barcode is simple, the psychological timing is precise; thieves rely on the chaos of a Houston holiday crowd to mask their physical tampering.
