A proposed bill would ban the sale and manufacturing of machines that help scammers disguise their phone calls and texts.
The bipartisan Stop SIM Box Scam Act would ban the sale, import and use of SIM boxes, which hold multiple SIM cards that can be used to send scam texts and calls. The bill also would direct the Federal Communications Commission to coordinate with federal law enforcement to block SIM box imports and pursue the scam syndicates using them.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), who is chair of the House Stop Scams Caucus, and Rep. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.).
In recent years, SIM boxes have come under increasing scrutiny for their role in facilitating scams. In comments previously submitted to the FCC, the American Bankers Association has urged the commission to ban SIM boxes. In addition, the U.K. last year became the first European country to ban the creation of SIM farms – essentially large collections of SIM boxes – unless the owners can demonstrate a legitimate business purpose.
