THE SENATE S.R. NO. 20 THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION urging the united states congress to enact legislation tO address the rise in ILLEGAL text messages.
THE SENATE S.R. NO. 20
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
20
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE 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 Senate 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
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 Senate 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: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
United States Congress; Legislation; Scam; Text Messages