What is the California Pawn & Secondhand Dealers System (CAPSS?)

CAPSS First
Nov 5 · 2 min read

In 2012, Assembly Bill 391 mandated the California Department of Justice to design and implement an electronic reporting system for property transactions.

You might remember the old triplicate JUS-123 paper forms that were filled out by hand and then mailed to your local police agency and the DOJ. CAPSS is the digital version of that.

In an effort to reduce crime, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers, like jewelry and coin stores, are required to submit property transaction reports for pawns and buys of tangible personal property. Local and state law enforcement agencies can search the CAPSS database for items that are reported stolen, and hopefully find the perpetrators.

When submitting property transaction reports, pawnbrokers and dealers must positively identify their customer and submit their customer’s contact information, signature, and fingerprint along with a list of items to the CADOJ. Like we mentioned earlier, this used to be a paper-based process that required snail-mailing reports daily or weekly.

Since the launch of the CAPSS system in late 2015, these reports are now submitted exclusively through electronic means. The Department of Justice offers a basic reporting system through the CAPSS website. Third-party software vendors like CAPSS First offer advanced features to make the reporting process more efficient and less error prone.

One example is customer management. The basic system provided by the DOJ requires typing in your customers name, address, and identification information by hand. You’re also required to re-type this information each time your customer returns — quickly becoming a time consuming process. CAPSS First, on the other hand, provides advanced customer management with an ID scanning feature that allows you to create customers with a simple scan of their driver’s license. No typing required.

Transactions are just as easy, with one-click signature and thumbprint capture directly in CAPSS First, instead of a time-consuming capture, copy, and upload process. Additionally, property transaction reports are sent to the DOJ in real time ensuring you’re always in compliance.

While third party programs like CAPSS First aren’t strictly required to comply with the DOJ’s requirements, they can make the process much easier for you and your employees.

To learn more or sign up for CAPSS First, visit https://capssfirst.com/ or email contact@capssfirst.com for a personalized demo.

CAPSS First
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