Attorney General's News Release

February 21, 2006

Nixon keeps up pressure on Internet businesses that illegally obtain and sell cell phone information

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today asked for a court order to stop a Web business and its owners from offering to sell the confidential information of cell phone customers. Nixon said the defendants, who do business under the name Completeskiptrace.com, are violating consumer protection laws by misrepresenting that is legal for them to obtain, possess and sell the information.

Completeskiptrace.com is the second such Web site Nixon has targeted. Last week, Missouri became the first state to obtain a court order preventing an Internet business that sells cell phone records from conducting business in its state. Nixon's aggressive actions resulted in a preliminary injunction against Locatecell.com.

"We acted as soon as we heard about these Internet businesses that sell private cell phone information without the owners' consent," Nixon said. "We've maintained all along that there are tremendous privacy concerns with such transactions, and that the information was obtained illegally. Once again, we're asking the court to stop the dissemination of such information and will be keeping an eye out for other such outfits that provide similar services."

An undercover investigator from Nixon's office initiated an online transaction with Completeskiptrace to purchase the account number of his own private cell phone and received the information Feb. 14.

According to the defendants' Web site, for $80 anyone may enter a cell phone number and then receive the name and billing address and alternate contact number of the cell phone user. For $110, anyone can enter a cell phone number and Completeskiptrace.com will provide a "complete history of the cell number," including the cell phone subscriber's name, address, date of establishment of service, account number, and any identification information currently on file. Nixon said the defendants do not have authorization from the wireless and cellular telephone service providers to access the customer information that they advertise on their Web site.

Named as a defendants in the lawsuit filed today in Cole County Circuit Court are Get A Grip Consulting Inc. and its principal owner, Rob Schroader, of Cedar Hills, Utah. Nixon is asking for a temporary restraining order against the defendants to stop them from violating Missouri consumer protection law. The lawsuit also asks for appropriate penalties.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818