Let’s stop pretending that getting played is always somebody’s fault for being “careless.” Sometimes the game is designed to be confusing. Sometimes the fine print is designed to be ignored. Sometimes desperation makes a bad deal look like the only deal.
And sometimes race, income, and geography determine who is most exposed to the bad deal in the first place. This isn’t about complaining. We’re exposing the game.
Here are seven ways Black Houstonians can get played—and what to do about it.
1. Payday loans
Getting charged a fortune for being broke
A 2026 Kinder Institute survey of more than 5,000 Harris County residents found that about one in five had used a predatory lending product during the previous year. The racial disparity is striking: 34% of Black respondents reported using some type of predatory lending product, compared with 21% of Hispanic respondents. About 20% of Black respondents reported using a payday loan, compared with 5% of white respondents.
More than half of predatory-loan users said they needed the money for food, rent, or a mortgage. Others cited utilities, car payments, repairs, and medical expenses.
The game: You need money now, so somebody sells you money at a price you may not be able to afford later.
Don’t get played
Calculate the total dollar cost, not just the payment. Ask for the APR and every fee in writing. Compare credit unions, banks, nonprofit assistance, and payment plans before taking a payday-style loan.
Fight back
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov | 855-411-2372
Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division: texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection | 800-621-0508
2. Bad contracts
‘Just sign here’ can become ‘You owe us’
A contractor promises to fix your home after a storm. A salesperson says, “This is the best deal you’ll get.” Someone tells you, “Don’t worry about the fine print.”
Stop. The Texas Attorney General warns consumers about contractors who use low-ball estimates, pressure customers to sign immediately, demand large upfront payments, or refuse to let customers review contracts before signing.
Houston knows this game. After Hurricane Harvey, state officials warned residents about contractors taking money and failing to perform promised work.
Don’t get played
Get everything in writing. Obtain multiple estimates. Look for cancellation provisions and guarantees. Photograph the work. Keep texts, emails, receipts, and invoices. Don’t pay everything up front. If somebody won’t let you take the contract home and read it, walk away.
Fight back
Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division: texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection | 800-621-0508
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: trla.org
3. Housing
Affordable rent—Until the fees arrive
Houston loves calling itself affordable. But affordable compared with what? Kinder Institute research found that 55.5% of Houston renters were housing-cost burdened in 2024, meaning they spent more than 30% of their income on housing. About 293,000 Houston renters fell into that category.
Then come the fees: Application, administrative, pet, parking, trash, convenience, and late fees. The advertised rent can be one number, but the amount leaving your bank account can be another. And though federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on race and other protected characteristics, scammers will continue to scam.
Don’t get played
Before signing a lease, demand a complete list of recurring and one-time charges. Get the lease before paying whenever possible. Photograph the property before moving in and document maintenance problems in writing. If you suspect discrimination, save advertisements, emails, texts, applications, prices, and other evidence.
Fight back
Greater Houston Fair Housing Center: houstonfairhousing.org | 713-641-3247
HUD Fair Housing: 800-669-9777
Houston 311: 311 or 713-837-0311
4. Consumer Traps
‘Cheap’ doesn’t mean cheap
The trap can be a free trial, an automatic subscription, a fake online store, or an impostor/scammer pretending to be your bank or the government. The Texas Attorney General warns consumers to research unfamiliar retailers and be suspicious of offers that sound too good to be true. The CFPB warns that scammers may impersonate government agencies, banks, and law enforcement and demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other unusual methods.
Don’t get played
Research unfamiliar companies. Don’t click suspicious links. Don’t provide passwords or financial information to unexpected callers. Don’t buy gift cards because someone claiming to be a government official tells you to. Read automatic-renewal terms and check your bank statements.
Remember: A government agency doesn’t need you to buy a gift card to avoid arrest.
Fight back
Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division: 800-621-0508
CFPB: 855-411-2372
If money was taken from your bank or credit card account, contact the financial institution immediately.
5. Work
When your employer gets more out of you than it pays you
You’re told you’re salaried. You’re called an independent contractor. You’re asked to work off the clock. Your paycheck doesn’t include everything you earned. Some of those situations can violate wage or civil rights laws.
The Texas Workforce Commission says Texas law requires employers to pay employees in full and on time. Workers with wage disputes can file claims, generally within 180 days of when payment was due. And if discrimination is involved, Black workers don’t have to simply take it.
Don’t get played
Keep your own records of pay stubs, schedules, time sheets, contracts, job descriptions, emails, texts, and disciplinary notices. Don’t rely exclusively on your employer’s records.
Fight back
Texas Workforce Commission Wage & Hour: twc.texas.gov | 800-832-9243
EEOC Houston District Office: eeoc.gov | 800-669-4000
TWC Civil Rights Division: 888-452-4778
6. Politics
Don’t let somebody borrow your vote without paying you back
Politicians show up when they need votes, promising the world. Then they ghost you after Election Day.
“Bump” that, and the system that encourages voters to see politics as a personality contest rather than an accountability system. See, the question isn’t simply “Who should we vote for?” It’s, “What are we getting for our vote?”
Don’t get played
Look at the entire ballot. Research candidates and voting records. Ask specific questions. Track campaign promises after the election. Learn who funds campaigns. Verify voting information through official election sources. And after the election? Keep receipts.
Fight back
Harris County Elections: HarrisVotes.com | 713-755-6965
7. Fine-print economy
Fees, add-ons, and ‘convenience’ charges
Sometimes, nobody steals from you. They just keep taking $7.99, $14.95, $25, and $35 at a time.
A late fee. An overdraft. A processing fee. A convenience fee. A cancellation fee. A “technology” fee. Individually, they may not look catastrophic. Collectively, they become a second rent.
Kinder Institute research has found that roughly two-thirds of Houston-area residents are financially insecure, while Black residents are disproportionately likely to use predatory financial products.
Don’t get played
Treat your bank statement like an investigative reporter treats a public record. Every month, audit it. Ask: What is this charge? Did I authorize it? Is it recurring? Can I cancel it?
Set reminders for free trials and annual renewals. And ask companies to remove questionable fees. Sometimes simply asking works.
Fight back
CFPB: consumerfinance.gov | 855-411-2372
Texas Attorney General: texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection | 800-621-0508
Houston 311: 311 or 713-837-0311
