Va. Lawmakers Aim to Hook Cyberscammers

washingtonpost.com: Va. Lawmakers Aim to Hook Cyberscammers: "Va. Lawmakers Aim to Hook Cyberscammers - Starting July 1, Those Who 'Phish' for Personal Data Online Can Be Prosecuted



By Karin Brulliard

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, April 10, 2005; Page C08



The Virginia General Assembly this year passed a handful of new bills aimed at cracking down on computer and online crimes, including a statute that observers say is the nation's first law that criminalizes 'phishing' schemes. Phishing occurs when someone sends out bulk e-mail messages designed to trick consumers into revealing bank account passwords, Social Security numbers and other personal information. Starting July 1, cyberscammers who deceive people out of that kind of information could face a felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison and $2,500 in fines. Those convicted of selling the data or using it to commit another crime, such as identity theft, would face twice the prison time. "