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Allen Introduces Legislation to Protect Americans' Phone Records
Stevens, Inouye Co-Sponsor Measure to Prevent Fraud |
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WASHINGTON, DC – Senator George Allen (R-VA), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Product Safety and Insurance, today introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent unauthorized and intrusive third party access of American consumers’ phone records. Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Ranking Member Daniel Inouye (D-HI) have signed on as co-sponsors of The Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act.
In recent months, a number of websites have popped up selling consumer phone records for as little as $100-dollars. Experts say that the records are usually obtained by individuals who pose fraudulently as customers and request their records.
“I think it’s truly reprehensible that unscrupulous marketers have been obtaining and selling the confidential, personal phone billing records of Americans. This legislation will protect innocent people and ensure that the perpetrators of this fraudulent and criminal activity are prosecuted. We must not allow this deceitful and disturbing practice to continue,” said Allen.
The Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act outlaws acquiring, selling or soliciting someone else’s phone records without their consent. It also specifically outlaws the fraudulent misrepresentation that a person has given authorization to obtain their phone records, often referred to as “pretexting.”
“Given the growing problem of pretexting, it is time for Congress to act to protect consumers. Senator Inouye and I plan to bring this bill before our Committee next week for mark-up,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens. “This bill empowers the FTC and FCC to punish those who lie to obtain private phone records.”
The legislation increases the penalties on bad actors and provides the Federal Communications, the Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General with strengthened enforcement authority. To further boost enforcement, it would also allow phone companies the ability to take legal action against data brokers or others who are illegally acquiring phone records to boost enforcement.
“By passing this bill, we will send a clear message to the conniving thieves looking to make a quick buck through this fraudulent and deceptive behavior: you will be punished,” Allen added.
The legislation also requires phone companies to certify annually that they are in compliance with confidentiality procedures. Phone companies would be hit with a $30,000 penalty for any violation in which they do not sufficiently protect their subscriber’s phone records.
“Unfortunately, there are some marketers who have no respect for people’s privacy and no respect for the rules,” said co-sponsor, Senator Jim Talent (R-MO). “Our legislation will protect consumers and punish criminals seeking to profit from phone record theft.”
In addition to Senators Stevens, Inouye and Talent, the bill was also co-sponsored by Senators Conrad Burns (R-MT), John Warner (R-VA), Rick Santorum (R-PA), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Bill Nelson (D-FL), David Vitter (R-LA), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Mel Martinez (R-FL) and John Thune (R-SD).
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18th - |
Senator Hutchison Calls for Improved Bus Safety Standards
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for improved safety of over-the-road buses and enhanced National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing bus safety during a Senate Surface Transportation Subco...
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18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Oversight of the DTV Transition: Countdown to February 2009, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The full witness list is below.
With February 17, 2009 less than five months away, the Committee will assess the Federal Communication...
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18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the upcoming Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on The Imbalance in U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade, scheduled for September 24, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. A full witness list is below.
The hearing will examine the reasons for the imbalance in U.S.-Korea bilateral ...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Privacy Issues Related to Broadband Service Providers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Broadband Providers and Consumer Privacy, scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The Committee will examine broadband provider practices with respect to consumer privacy.
Broadband Providers and Consumer PrivacyFull CommitteeDate: Thursday, Septemb...
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16th - |
Senator Hutchison Commends Dept. of Commerce for Helping Nursing Homes with DTV Converter Box Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today commended the U.S. Department of Commerce and Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez for allowing residents with post office boxes and those living in nursing homes to participate in the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program. Previously, only residents with physical addresses could participate. This meant that those who ...
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16th - |
Inouye Calls for Immediate Passage of S.1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s hearing on why broadband matters.
“In our hearing today we explore why broadband matters. Broadband matters because broadband communications have become the great economic engine of our time. Broadband deployment drives opportunities for business, education, ...
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16th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Bus Safety Hearing
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12th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Nominees
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12th - |
Commerce Committee to Review Progress of DTV Transition with FCC, NTIA
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12th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
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11th - |
Commerce Committee Releases MARAD Bill Financial Disclosure Certification
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today filed its report on S. 2997, the Maritime Administration Act for Fiscal Year 2009. In accordance with Senate Rule XLIV, the Committee provides the attached financial disclosure certification.
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11th - |
Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas
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10th - |
Senator Hutchison Cosponsors Calling Card Legislation to Help Consumers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today signed on as a cosponsor to legislation that would assist consumers with pre-paid calling cards and ensure that fees and terms are easier to understand. The bill, S. 2998, would require pre-paid calling card providers and distributors to disclose the numbe...
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9th - |
Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
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8th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Marine Protected Areas
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8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing
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