State Representative John F. Quinn (D-Dartmouth) announced today that he is filling legislation in response to recent nationwide discovery that illegally obtained personal cell phone records are being sold on the internet. This legislation will make this practice a felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $20,000. It will also make the receipt of these records receiving stolen property.

Quinn stated, “I was stunned when I realized how easy it is to acquire personal cell phone records that have been illegally obtained from phone companies.” He continued, “I thought, like most people, that only a court subpoena could make these records available to anyone other than the phone’s owner. This legislation will help stop this activity here in Massachusetts.”

A recent incident in Chicago, IL brought this issue to the attention of law enforcement officials. In Chicago, the cell phone records of an FBI agent were purchased over the internet and obtained in a matter of hours. Further investigation revealed that there are several well publicized websites on which for approximately $100 you can purchase the phone records of a person other than yourself.

There are currently up to 40 websites practicing cell phone “pretexting” or selling the call history of someone’s cell phone or land-line phone. In most cases, these brokers only need a billing address or phone number to obtain such records.

This legislation would be non-applicable to law enforcement agencies or telecommunication carriers through its agents with the lawful consent of the customer or subscriber.