In just three years of operation, the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) has successfully thwarted fraudulent losses totaling a staggering $273,848,699 across the state. Additionally, the center has managed to recover a remarkable 20,428 stolen credit cards and numbers, as well as confiscate 968 credit card skimmers from various locations, including gas pumps, ATMs, and point-of-sale terminals. The FCIC’s efforts have undoubtedly made a significant impact in curbing financial crimes and protecting the financial well-being of individuals and businesses in Texas.
The FCIC, which was created through House Bill 2106 in the 87th Texas Legislature, is the pioneering facility of its kind in the United States. It functions as a partnership between the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office, with a two-year budget totaling $2,650,000.
The FCIC, situated in Tyler, boasts a state-of-the-art Digital Forensics Laboratory. Equipped with cutting-edge forensic tools, this facility enables investigators to analyze various electronic devices, ranging from phones and computers to tablets and skimming devices. Its primary aim is to track and combat financial crimes effectively.
Officials expressed their gratitude to the Texas Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor for their trust in the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC), TDLR, and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. They acknowledged the significant efforts made by the FCIC to protect Texans from financial crimes and emphasized that there is still much more work for the investigators to do. The officials also expressed their commitment to accomplishing even more in the future.
The FCIC has been discovering previously undiscovered criminal groups operating in Texas and other areas as its operations grow. In order to combat fraudulent financial activities, the FCIC Digital Forensics Laboratory has been leading the way in developing countermeasures, keeping up with the ever-evolving technology of financial fraud.
The TDLR takes charge of ensuring the quality and accuracy of motor fuel, as well as handling consumer complaints and merchant reports regarding credit card skimmers. Meanwhile, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to actively investigating and prosecuting organized financial crimes, with a particular focus on fraud cases associated with gas pump skimmers.
