Relating to skimmers on electronic terminals; authorizing a civil penalty; creating criminal offenses.

HB 4853 creates new rules for addressing skimmers - devices thieves attach to card readers at ATMs or point-of-sale terminals to steal payment card data. It requires merchants and service technicians to report skimmers to Texas’ Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, with penalties for failing to do so. The bill authorizes civil fines and establishes criminal penalties for skimmer-related fraud. It directly affects merchants, service technicians, and financial institutions that use electronic payment terminals. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet become law.