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Bill

S 1016

Prohibits certain caller identification service manipulation; makes violation fourth degree crime.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Bramnick

New Jersey bill criminalizes caller ID spoofing as a fourth-degree offense to combat fraud, scams, and impersonation enabled by false caller identification.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1016

Legislative bill overview

S 1016 prohibits the manipulation of caller identification services—commonly known as "spoofing"—and establishes violations as fourth-degree crimes in New Jersey. The bill targets deceptive practices where individuals or organizations falsify the phone number or name displayed to recipients, making it illegal to knowingly transmit misleading caller ID information.

Why is this important

Caller ID spoofing enables scams, fraud, harassment, and impersonation of legitimate organizations, causing financial and emotional harm to thousands of consumers annually. By criminalizing the practice, the bill aims to deter bad actors and provide law enforcement with clearer legal grounds to prosecute offenders who exploit this technology.

Potential points of contention

  • Legitimate use exceptions: The bill may need clearer definitions distinguishing between spoofing for illegal purposes versus lawful uses (e.g., some businesses and services have legitimate reasons to mask numbers; overly broad language could inadvertently criminalize standard practices)
  • Enforcement challenges: Caller ID spoofing often involves out-of-state or international actors; making it a state crime may prove difficult to enforce without robust interstate/federal cooperation
  • Fourth-degree severity: Questions may arise about whether fourth-degree felony status is proportionate, especially for first-time or low-harm violations, or whether graduated penalties would be more appropriate

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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