Before the turn of the millennium the big fraud out there when it came to cell phones was people tricking the cellular system to put through calls without paying. They did this by screwing around with the cell phone software, using cloned phones, stealing access codes, numbers, and SIM cards. Then along came the Wireless Telephone Protection Act, that was back in 1998. Cellular carriers estimated at that time they were losing nearly 146 million dollars revenue, and cheated out of nearly a billion minutes per year – Ouch!

Between cloning, and SIM card or ECN (electronic serial number) manipulation, the FCC and law enforcement officers had their hands full. Today the Federal Communication Commission states on their website that and subscriber fraudulent activity is the big problem. This would be when someone signs up for service using a false identity, it’s a federal offense, but lots of people get away with it, it’s like stealing someone’s credit card and it is a form of identity theft.

What can you do if you feel you are a victim of subscriber fraud or Identity Theft where someone signed up for a calling plan using your name, and information? Perhaps, even leaving you with an outstanding cell phone bill, and bad mark on your credit? Well, here is some information you should check out:

FCC’s Protecting Your Privacy consumer fact sheet:
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/protectingprivacy.html

FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site:
www.fcc.gov/cgb

FCC’s Consumer Center e-mail:
fccinfo@fcc.gov

FCC Consumer Call Line:

1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)

Fax: 1-866-418-0232

Write in with a question or problem:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

To receive consumer information from FCC:
www.fcc.gov/cgb/contacts/