THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	26
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE RISE IN ILLEGAL TEXT MESSAGES.

WHEREAS, there are concerns that text messages could be the new method for criminals to scam consumers; and

WHEREAS, phone companies are not required to block texts; however, many phone services do block unsolicited robocalls; and

WHEREAS, it has been reported that existing spam apps are not effective at filtering text messages; and

WHEREAS, it has been reported that consumers received approximately 7,650,000 spam text messages in August 2021, up eight percent from June, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission received 334,833 complaints about scam text messages last year, more than double the number from previous years; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission has determined that text messaging has developed as the third most popular way for scammers to connect with consumers; and

WHEREAS, text messaging is effective for scammers because the text messages can be designed to appear harmless and allow scammers to trick consumers into unwittingly giving out personal information; and

WHEREAS, once scammers obtain a consumer's personal information, they can transfer money out of bank accounts, use the consumer's identity, or sell the consumer's information to a third party; and

WHEREAS, text messaging is also a preferred method for a criminal to gain complete control over a person's phone; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the House of Representatives concurring, that the United States Congress is urged to enact legislation to address the rise in illegal text messages; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Congress is also urged to consult with the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission to develop proposed legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Hawaii's congressional delegation, Chairperson of the Federal Communications Commission, and Chairperson of the Federal Trade Commission.

Report Title:

United States Congress; Legislation; Illegal Text Messages; Scam Text Messages