State Representative Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville) announced that he will introduce the Neighbor Spoofing Protection Act during the 2020 legislative session. This legislation would prohibit the disguising of caller identification information in the state.

“The Neighbor Spoofing Protection Act would help Georgia curb the concerning amount of disguised calling in the state by implementing penalties against these callers,” said Rep. Williams. “Disguising caller identification does not only pose a risk to the recipients of these calls, but it hurts Georgia businesses whose name and phone numbers are being misappropriated.”

The Neighbor Spoofing Protection Act would prohibit individuals, companies and other organizations from knowingly misleading or providing inaccurate information relating to their caller identification with the intent to defraud, cause harm or scam someone of anything of value. Under this legislation, the Public Service Commission would fine up to $2,000 in the form of an administrative penalty for violators. This legislation would not prohibit a law enforcement agency from disguising caller identification if a court order specifically authorizes the use of caller identification manipulation. Additionally, phone service providers would also be exempt if it is authorized or required by federal law.

Other state legislatures have begun to pass similar legislation to help limit the increasing number of spoof calls. The Neighbor Spoofing Protection Act seeks join federal efforts by strengthening Georgia’s laws against this nationwide issue.