Thanks to an increasing demand and lack of federal legislature, private cell phone records can be bought and sold over the Internet for as little as $110.
Companies such as Phonebust.com and Locatecell.com have been selling cell phone records from private individuals for years, according to recent lawsuits filed by major cell phone companies and a Federal Trade Commission investigation.
"Given the amount of information that is out there, selling that information could be very dangerous," said Michael Hardeman, president of Hardeman Investigative Services Inc.
Hardeman said that private investigators have had access to phone records for sometime. However, the sale of phone records to private individuals is alarming.
"Most services require that I send a copy of my business license," Hardeman said. "You can't really fake that. You have to know your stuff."
Less stringent record selling Internet companies have caused an uproar across the country, however.
A report from Americanblog.com that could not be verified stated staff purchased the cell phone records of Gen. Wesley Clark, former supreme allied commander of NATO.
The site reported all they needed was Clark's cell phone number, a credit card and 24 hours to receive hundreds of records Clark made to Arkansas, foreign countries and prominent reporters.
Chicago police have released several warnings to officers stating that Internet companies have sold phone records of officers to criminals and that they could be used to expose police informants.
Whether it is the phone records of high-ranking generals, police officers or average people, the ability to obtain records online is frightening, said Trish McMennamin, senior nursing major.
"I had my identity stolen last year and it scares me," McMennamin said. "I would sue my cell phone company if they gave out that information."
Cell phone company employees may be the main culprits when it comes to selling personal records, Hardeman said.
"A lot of times a guy who works for someone like Cingular or used to work for them will be the one selling the information," Hardeman said.
Other techniques include "pretexting", where a data broker solicits a cell phone company for records by pretending to be the account holder.
Cell phone companies who offer account management features online have also opened a window to record fraud.
Many customers never set up their account online, leaving data brokers the ability to access phone records online by simply going to a carrier's Web site and setting up an online account.
State legislators in Michigan and New York are already moving forward by introducing federal legislation making it a felony to sell and buy phone records and to hold cell phone companies more responsible for customer information.
While new laws on cell phone record privacy may be overdue, holding cell phone companies, data brokering firms and private investigators more responsible is important, Hardeman said.
"I could show absolutely no credentials to Phonebust.com and get information," Hardeman said. "But I personally go through a tough screening process with every customer. I do not want to be responsible for someone being stalked and killed."
