Wisconsin introduces law to ban fake caller IDs

Published 8 March 2011

Republican legislators in Wisconsin have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to use a fake caller ID number to “defraud, cause harm, or gain anything of value”; last year Congress passed a similar bill that banned the use of “phone spoofing” technologies — technology that allow an individual to choose what number they wish to appear on another person’s caller ID; the new bill would allow law enforcement officials to target individuals making prank calls in addition to prosecuting companies that provide spoofing technology; critics question the timing of the bill as it comes after a high-profile prank call to Wisconsin governor Scott Walker

Telephone showing "spoofed" caller ID // Source: letbusiness.com

Republican legislators in Wisconsin have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to use caller ID services that can generate fake numbers.

The law drafted by Senator Mary Lazich and Representative Mark Honadel prohibit people from using a fake caller ID number to “defraud, cause harm, or gain anything of value.”

Last year Congress passed a similar bill that banned the use of “phone spoofing” technologies. Companies like Spooftel and Spoofcard allow an individual to choose what number they wish to appear on another person’s caller ID when they call.

Representative Honadel introduced a similar bill last year after a local news station, in a televised event, successfully spoofed his phone.

The new bill would allow law enforcement officials to target individuals making prank calls in addition to prosecuting companies that provide spoofing technology.

Critics question the timing of the bill as it comes after a high-profile prank call to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

Last month Ian Murphy, a blogger, called Governor Walker posing as David Koch, an influential billionaire who has contributed heavily to the Tea Party movement. The call lasted for twenty minutes and the Governor reportedly made comments regarding his strategy to cripple public unions and joked that he would use a baseball bat in his office against political opponents.

Honadel said the timing was coincidental.

Last session, we saw it as a very legitimate piece of legislation. We never even put two and two together,” he said.

 

In response, Murphy said, “The introduction of the anti-prank call bill in Wisconsin is cowardly and stupid.”

He added, “And to say it has nothing to do with my call, as they have, is indicative of their endemic dishonesty.”

He also said that he made the call using Skype and not a spoofing service.