Shimkus Supports Anti-Spoofing Bill

Press Release

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) is cosponsoring legislation that would expand the prohibition on inaccurate caller identification. This practice is called "spoofing" and attempts to trick call recipients.

"Current law bans the practice of spoofing from calls originating in the United States," Shimkus explained. "This legislation (HR 3670) that I am cosponsoring would expand the ban on spoofing to calls originating outside the U.S. if the recipient is within the U.S."

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would regulate this through spoofing service providers that permit caller identification to be altered.

"Anti-spoofing definitions would also be expanded to include text messages and IP voice services," Shimkus added.

"You should be able to rely on caller ID information to be accurate. When it's not, you may inadvertently provide personal information to identity thieves or other criminals pretending to represent someone they are not."

The legislation is currently pending in the Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Shimkus serves.

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