Schumer introduces bill to combat cellphone theft

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced legislation on Wednesday to make it a federal crime to try to get around a new system for disabling stolen phones. The Mobile Device Theft Deterrence Act would make it a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison for tampering with a phone's identification number.

"As part of the effort to shut down the black market for stolen iPhones, we must make it abundantly clear to would-be thieves, if you try to alter a stolen cell phone to get around the ban, you will face severe consequences,” Sen Schumer said. “This legislation will help dry up the black market for stolen cell phones by making the consequences for peddling in this illegal business so severe, thieves would think twice before doing so.” CTIA, the wireless industry's trade group, endorsed the legislation.