ATLANTA, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday Senators Charles Schumer of New York, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and Bill Nelson of Florida introduced legislation to outlaw the outrageous practice that Cingular Wireless calls Cell Phone Records Ripoffs -- the unauthorized sale of cell phone records. Cingular believes that website operators advertising the sale of cell phone records obtain data through fraudulent means, such as by posing as customers seeking information about their own accounts or as TTY relay operators purporting to assist customers with hearing disabilities. Other members of Congress are also considering potential legislation to halt this practice.
The following comment may be attributed to Kent Wells, vice president - federal legislative affairs, Cingular Wireless.
"Cingular supports efforts by Congress to criminalize the acquisition and sale of wireless phone records by online data brokers -- who are really 'data burglars.' Though there are laws that enable Cingular to fight back against data brokers through civil lawsuits -- and just last week we obtained a Temporary Restraining Order against the companies involved with several of the most prominent websites, including locatecell.com -- we believe that enactment of clear criminal statutes is necessary. This will enable law enforcement to easily prosecute these fraudsters and put an end to their practices."
