Skip to main content
H.R. 740 110th Congress House

PHONE Act of 2007

Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent caller ID spoofing, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 31, 2007 Introduced by: Robert C. "Bobby" Scott Democratic · Virginia See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Computer softwareConspiracyFines (Penalties)Forfeiture
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
FraudIdentification devicesInternetMoney launderingScience, Technology, CommunicationsTelephone
Sign in to write a letter

Free account. One morning email at most, only on days something moved. Already have one? Sign in.

This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 24, 2007
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.
May 24, 2007
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 25, 2007
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Mar 22, 2007
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 21, 2007
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 21, 2007
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 178). (text: CR H2790)
Mar 21, 2007
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2796-2797)
Mar 21, 2007
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Mar 21, 2007
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 740.
Mar 21, 2007
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2790-2793)
Mar 21, 2007
Ms. Sanchez, Linda T. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Mar 8, 2007
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 13.
Mar 8, 2007
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-37.
Feb 7, 2007
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 7, 2007
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Feb 6, 2007
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Feb 6, 2007
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 6, 2007
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 2, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 31, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 31, 2007
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Mar 21, 2007 House · vote #178 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 413–1 See who voted →
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action May 24, 2007

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement Act of 2007 or the PHONE Act of 2007- Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) using or providing false caller ID information with the intent to wrongfully obtain anything of value (imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to five years) or using or providing such information without authorization and with intent to deceive any person or other entity about the identity of the caller (imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to one year); or (2) attempting or conspiring to do so.

Exempts from the prohibitions of this Act: (1) lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activities of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or U.S. intelligence agency; or (2) activities relating to witness protection.

Provides for forfeiture of property traceable to a violation of this Act or of equipment, software, or other technology used to commit a violation of this Act.

Includes fraud and related activity in connection with electronic mail and caller ID spoofing as predicate activities for money laundering.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1654 A bill to prohibit the sale or provision of caller ID spoofing services.
 Bill text 5 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Sherman, Brad
California · Feb 8, 2007
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 740: PHONE Act of 2007. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-740/
MLA
"H.R. 740: PHONE Act of 2007." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-740/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 740, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-740/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 740: PHONE Act of 2007](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-740/)
Report a problem