Having anonymously annoyed me for some time, I'm arranging your arraignment even now. How, you may ask? Through the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act. This handy bill, now signed into law, has a change of definition in section 113 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109:6:./temp/~c109Qez5Hu:e91030:) that alters current law (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sec_47_00000223----000-.html). In brief (http://news.com.com/2010-1028-6022491.html?tag=tb), whoevermakes a telephone call or utilizes a telecommunications device, whether or not conversation or communication ensues, without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number or who receives the communications...shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.(emphasis mine)

The amendment adds`(C) in the case of subparagraph (C) of subsection (a)(1), includes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet (as such term is defined in section 1104 of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note)).'.to the definition.

So, to you anonymous annoyances, by order of the United States government, I'm placing you under arrest. Please report to your local constable for processing.

Thank you.

I wonder how many people are going to try and invoke this against collection agents?? I do doubt this will apply to creditors who are trying to collect on a debt.

Once a collection agent takes over the debt, they are responsible, and not the person/company who sold the debt to them. most collection stuff I've seen/heard clearly identifies the collection company.

So I guess the pursuit of spam operators gets a bit more serious now.

APB on Shemp?? would he make it on America's Most Wanted list?

Once a collection agent takes over the debt, they are responsible, and not the person/company who sold the debt to them. most collection stuff I've seen/heard clearly identifies the collection company.

So I guess the pursuit of spam operators gets a bit more serious now.

Actually a collection agent can get the person/company who sold the debt to them in legal trouble if they don't abide by Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Though most companies who sell their debts to a Collection Co have an agreement in place so that if any legal issues come up because of their agents the company isn't liable for what the Collection Co does. As a person using these type of services you need to READ the contract you sign when assigning the debt to be collected.

I also doubt that the avg telemarketer would/should be worried about this. This is to prevent the constant calls after you've told them to stop calling you. Or having them call you 5 times in one night about the same crap all the time.

This legislation is in relation to domestic violence? Not to muddy the waters of anyone having suffered from domestic harrassment, but isn't there an implied knowledge that your ex/present significant other is the culprit? If you've lived with them for 10 years, and they don't introduce themselves, just start ranting or being creepy on the phone or via the Internet, you *really* already know who it is.

If I'm reading this correctly, this act only protects random prank callers/IMers and stalker types who are otherwise unidentified, yes?