Cell Phone Records Security
Information about whom you call on your cell phone is very personal. Because of the nature of wireless technology, it is natural to be concerned about the security of your cell phone and your cell phone records. There are some unscrupulous companies that offer to obtain records of cell phone calls and then sell them for the right price. The privacy of AT&T cell phone users is a top priority for AT&T. AT&T takes these "Cell Phone Record Ripoffs" very seriously and is taking steps to prevent and combat them whenever they arise.
Legal Action
AT&T has filed lawsuits against companies known to engage in these practices and is aggressively pursuing legal remedy against such companies. AT&T has already won judgments against some of these companies, obtaining restraining orders that force those who steal records to cease and desist. AT&T is working towards making those who steal cell phone records subject to criminal prosecution.
Locatecell.com (one of the primary offenders), who used a number of unscrupulous methods to obtain and sell cell phone records (typically for $110 per record), has been taken offline by order of the Federal Trade Commission. They are no longer receiving or filling new orders.
eFindOuttheTruth.com, a company that offers background checks and other investigative information, found themselves the recipient of a restraining order that prevented them from acquiring or distributing cell phone records (as did celltolls.com, peoplesearchamerica.com and datafind.org).
Security Safeguards
AT&T is working tirelessly to thwart those who would ripoff cell phone records. Many of these companies have people pose as employees or customers in order to fraudulently elicit information. AT&T is constantly improving their ability to root out such individuals. There are some ways consumers can help as well.
Anyone who suspects someone of using illicit methods to obtain cell phone record information should contact their carrier and/or the Federal Trade Commission immediately.
Contact your Congressperson and let him or her know that you feel the practice of obtaining and selling cell phone records violates your right to privacy, and that you want stiffer government safeguards against this type of activity.
Be sure to keep your cell phone records in a safe place, shred them or get paperless statements. Limit the amount of access that others have to your records as much as possible.
AT&T also now offers the option to add a pass code to your cell phone account for even more security. Cell phone users wishing to obtain such a pass code should call AT&T at 1-800-331-0500 and request one.
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