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For Immediate Release
03/08/06
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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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30th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved by voice vote S. 2389, the Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act, which prevents unscrupulous companies and individuals from fraudulently obtaining consumers private phone records in a deceptive practice known as “pretexting.”
Commerce Committee Members adopted a substitute amend...
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29th - |
Chairman Stevens Applauds Administration for New CAFÉ Standards for Light Trucks
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today issued the following statement upon the Administration’s announcement of a new rulemaking establishing higher CAFÉ standards for model year 2008-2011 pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles (SUVs):
“The Administrations fuel economy rule for pickup trucks and SUVs is a positive step for...
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21st - |
Chairman Stevens Addresses CompTel Conference
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) yesterday addressed participants at CompTel’s 2006 Spring Convention being held in San Diego, Calif.
Chairman Stevens spoke generally on a broad range of telecom reform topics, including municipal networks, net neutrality, the Universal Service Fund, and decency.
...
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17th - |
Senate Passes U.S. SAFE WEB Act
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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate last night passed S. 1608, the “Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2005” (U.S. SAFE WEB Act) by unanimous consent. S. 1608 would amend the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) to improve the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s ability to provide more timely and effective international consum...
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16th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Reports the Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act
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Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved a Committee Substitute offered by Senators Sununu (R-N.H.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to S. 1215, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act by voice vote. S. 1215 was introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) on June 9, 2005 and has 23 cosponsors, including Commerce Committee Co-Chairman D...
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16th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Resolution Honoring Staffer Susan MacDonald
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved by voice vote a resolution honoring Susan H. MacDonald for her more than 30 years of service as the Committee’s hearing clerk. Ms. MacDonald will retire effective April 30, 2006.
The resolution, which was co-sponsored by all 22 Members of the Committee, recognized Ms. MacDonald for her &ldq...
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16th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Reports Several Nominees Out of Committee
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Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Co-Chairmen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) have announced that the Committee today reported out the following nominees by voice vote:
Vice Admiral Thad Allen to be Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, and to be Admiral
Thomas J. Barrett to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration
Robert C....
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15th - |
Chairman Stevens Receives DTV Leadership Award
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today was honored with the Best DTV Leadership Award from the Consumer Electronics Association as part of its sixth annual Academy of Digital Television Pioneer Awards.
Chairman Stevens, Senate Commerce Committee Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Congressman Joe Barton (R-Texas), and Congressman Fred Upton (R-Mic...
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14th - |
Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens Recognized for Highway Safety Improvement Efforts
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Washington, D.C. – The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has honored Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for his commitment to improving highway safety.
Chairman Stevens supported language in last year’s federal highway bill (SAFETEA-LU) to help state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV...
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8th - |
current Press Release |
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6th - |
Inouye Comments on AT&T’s Proposed Purchase of BellSouth
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Co-Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, issued the following statement today regarding AT&T’s proposed acquisition of BellSouth:
“The proposed recombination of two of the remaining four Baby Bells will call into question our commitment to promote competition in the communications marketplace and...
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