January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Throughout the month, we’re raising awareness of human trafficking and highlighting the important role banks play in preventing the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion.
What is human trafficking?
Contrary to popular belief, human trafficking is a widespread and highly profitable crime that affects males and females of all races, ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels. According to the U.S. Department of State, this modern slavery generates an estimated $150 billion worldwide per year, with much of that money moving through legitimate financial systems. Traffickers use financial institutions for things like transportation, logistics, proceeds, bribes, and more. By monitoring suspicious financial transactions and collaborating with law enforcement, banks such as Stellar Bank play a critical role in identifying and reporting activity that could be tied to human trafficking.
Human trafficking in Houston—and beyond
Human trafficking occurs in every state, including Texas. In 2023, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 2,373 signals from Texas, with 583 signals from victims or survivors of human trafficking. These signals resulted in the identification of more than 900 cases and 1,723 victims of sex trafficking and forced labor.
The Department of Justice declared Houston one of the most intense trafficking jurisdictions in the country—due to its large population, proximity to the border, diverse labor sector, and access to major airports, seaports, and roadways.
Here are some ways Stellar Bank helps identify and prevent human trafficking in Texas.
State-of-the-art transaction monitoring
Stellar Bank takes human trafficking prevention very seriously. Our financial crimes department leverages industry-leading monitoring tools to identify suspicious account activity on a daily basis. Common indicators of potential traffickers include:
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- Suspected human trafficking business fronts (e.g., modeling agencies, international matchmaking services, massage establishments, clubs)
- Cash-based businesses
- Frequent transactions inconsistent with expected activity or line of business
- Abnormal payroll expenditures
- Frequent outbound wire transfers to countries with higher risk for human trafficking
- Business bank accounts that lack typical business expenses
- Credit or debit processing for even dollar amounts
- Transactions at atypical times for business type
- High-end luxury vehicle leases and extravagant trips
- Sudden increases in cash deposits
- New accounts that reflect similar activity to a closed account
- Frequent transactions via cryptocurrency
Training and awareness
At Stellar Bank, every banker is trained to be aware of human trafficking indicators—of both victims and traffickers—in the financial sector. Some red flags we look for at the branch level include:
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- Individuals who lack control over their identification or money
- Individuals who appear submissive, fearful, tense, or paranoid
- Individuals who defer to another person when answering questions
- Individuals who provide a hotel or business address as their home address
- Individuals who transact with multiple customers in a short time frame
- Individuals who transact in several small, even amounts or just below the reporting limits to avoid detection
- Transactions tied to known trafficking hotspots
- Rapid movement of funds across accounts or internationally
- Multiple accounts controlled by one person
Tracking these financial trails is one of the most powerful ways to fight human trafficking. By spotting red flags and reporting suspicious activity, banks like Stellar Bank play a key role in prosecuting traffickers, aiding victims, and preventing future crimes.
Reporting and additional support
If you believe you have witnessed human trafficking activity, do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert a victim to your suspicions. Make a report to the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
In any emergency, including human trafficking, dial 911.
Resources:
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Homeland Security Investigations
Texas Office of the Attorney General
Houston Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence
