Friday, November 23, 2007
The Pennsylvania Global Warming Act was also approved.
GREENVILLE, Pa. — The state Senate took action to stop computer scammers from victimizing unsuspecting Pennsylvanians, according to Sen. Bob Robbins of Greenville, R-50th.
On Monday, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 390, legislation co-sponsored by Robbins that would make it illegal to go “phishing” in Pennsylvania.
Phishing is a crime in which people use e-mail to falsely claim to be an established enterprise in an effort to lure people to a Web site to collect personal data, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, or passwords.
Often the Web site that people are lured to resembles established Internet enterprises, such as eBay, PayPal, or other online banking institutions.
“There are many unscrupulous companies and individuals out there who take advantage of unsuspecting computer users to get their personal information,” Robbins said. “I believe Pennsylvania must continue to act to prosecute anyone involved in identity theft. They must be held accountable for their despicable actions.”
SB 390 would make it a felony offense to phish personal information and would carry a fine of $100,000 for each violation, along with the ability to collect damages up to three times the actual amount, if the court so rules, as well as attorney fees.
The Senate has also approved Senate Bill 266, also known as the Pennsylvania Global Warming Act. This measure requires the state Department of Environmental Protection to prepare and publish a report on the potential impact of global warming and climate change. The DEP will be required to submit the report within six months of the effective date of the act.
The report shall include: scientific predictions regarding temperature and precipitation patterns and amounts; potential impact on human health, various aspects of economy, management of economic risk, and other significant uncertainties; and economic opportunities for the Commonwealth.