Starting this week, all money services businesses located in 30 ZIP codes across California and Texas — including seven in San Diego County — must report transactions of $200 or more under a new federal order.

 

The measure, known as a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO), was issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and officially went into effect on Monday.

 

The order requires businesses involved in foreign currency exchange, money transfers, and other financial services within the specified ZIP codes to report cash transactions ranging from $200 to $10,000. This new requirement adds to existing federal law, which already mandates the reporting of transactions exceeding $10,000 in a single day.

 

These reports must include the customer's Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number, as part of broader efforts to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.

 

In San Diego County, the affected ZIP codes are: 91910, 92101, 92113, 92117, 92126, 92154, and 92173, covering neighborhoods such as San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Chula Vista, Clairemont, and Mira Mesa. The order also applies to businesses in Imperial County within ZIP codes 92231, 92249, 92281, and 92283.

 

Five counties in Texas are also included under the order: Cameron, El Paso, Hidalgo, Maverick, and Webb.

 

While no official explanation was given for the specific ZIP code selections, federal authorities indicated the order aims to prevent individuals linked to foreign drug cartels from accessing the U.S. financial system.

 

The order follows a directive issued by former President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration, designating certain cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

 

“The GTO reflects our deep concern about the significant risk posed to the U.S. financial system by cartels and other criminal actors along the Southwest border,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

 

The order is set to remain in effect until September 9. Businesses must retain all records related to the GTO for at least five years after that date.