New Jersey goes after phone scammers who tamper with caller ID

TRENTON, NJ -- Scammers who manipulate how their phone number appears on caller ID could face a $10,000 fine under a measure being considered in the New Jersey Legislature.

The Assembly is scheduled to vote on a bill that makes it unlawful for any person in the state to knowingly transmit inaccurate caller ID information.

Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia says the legislation provides consumer protection. The bill stems from constituents who reported they had received calls that they thought were from known numbers but turned out to be bogus.

The measure calls for fines of up to $10,000 for a first offense and up to $20,000 for each further offense.

It's unclear how the legislation would be enforced on callers from other states.