Bill Text: HI HR49 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging The United States Congress To Enact Legislation To Address The Rise In Illegal Text Messages.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-04-05 - The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HR49 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HR49-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	49
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the united states congress to enact legislation tO address the rise in ILLEGAL text messages.

 

 

     WHEREAS, text messages could be the new method for criminals to scam consumers; and

 

     WHEREAS, phone companies are not required to block texts; however, many phone services do block unsolicited robocalls; and

 

     WHEREAS, it has been reported that existing spam apps are not effective at filtering text messages; and

 

     WHEREAS, it has been reported that consumers received 7,650,000 spam text messages in August, 2021, up eight percent from June, 2021; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission received 334,833 complaints about scam text messages last year, more than double the number from previous years; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission has determined that text messaging has developed as the third most popular way for scammers to connect with consumers; and

 

     WHEREAS, text messaging is effective for scammers because the text messages can be designated to appear harmless and allow scammers to trick consumers into giving out personal information without realizing it is happening; and

 

     WHEREAS, once scammers obtain a consumer's personal information, they can transfer money out of bank accounts, use the consumer's identity, or sell the consumer's information to a third-party; and

 

     WHEREAS, text messaging is also a preferred method for a criminal to gain complete control over a person's phone; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the United States Congress is urged to enact legislation to address the rise in illegal text messages; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Congress is urged to consult the Federal Communications Commission to develop proposed legislation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Hawaii's congressional delegation, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

United States Congress; Legislation; Scam; Text Messages