Identity Theft News

Landmark Legislation Signed To Protect Cell Phone Records From Identity Thieves

SPRINGFIELD – Taking action to protect Illinoisans’ private information from identity thieves, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed Senate Bill 2554 outlawing the practice of “pretexting” in Illinois.  Pretexting is pretending to be an account holder, or to have authorization to access an account, to obtain cell phone records, long distance call records, a person’s physical location and other personal records, such as GM OnStar information and any other account information relating to that person, such as dating service information or post office boxes. The Governor called for tough new restrictions on the practice in January.  According to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Illinois is among the first states in the nation to fight cell phone record pretexting.

“Before we signed this legislation, identity thieves were able to go on the Internet and sell personal phone account information to the highest bidder,” said Gov. Blagojevich.  “Now, identity thieves are on notice – we do not tolerate violations of personal privacy in Illinois.  If you don’t respect the law, you’ll face stiff penalties.”

According to EPIC, there are currently dozens of websites practicing cell phone “pretexting.”  In most cases, these brokers only need a person’s cell phone number to obtain these records.  In a demonstration of just how easy it is to obtain personal cell phone records, in January a blogger was able to obtain the call history of former presidential candidate and NATO commander Gen. Wesley Clark in just a few hours for less than $100.

SB 2554, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D – Chicago) and Representative Aaron Schock (R-Peoria), makes it illegal for an identity thief to use somebody else’s personal identification information or personal identification document to portray himself or herself as that person without permission, for the purpose of gaining access to any personal identification information or personal identification document of that person. It also makes it illegal to use personal identifying information to gain access to a person’s transactions, actions or communications such as cell phone call records. Read more at: www.illinois.gov

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