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H.R. 10705House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Stop SIM Box Scams Act

Sponsored by Jefferson ShreveRep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN)
Introduced October 1, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 7, 2026 at 4:22 AM UTC

The Stop SIM Box Scams Act adds a new prohibition to the Communications Act that makes it illegal to manufacture, import, sell, lease, advertise, possess, use, or modify any device that functions as a "SIM box." A SIM box is defined as equipment that pools multiple SIM credentials to hide the origin of calls or data and evade carrier controls. The law directs the FCC to issue rules, coordinate enforcement with other agencies, and allows mobile carriers to sue violators. It also preempts state laws that conflict with these new federal rules.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibits individuals or entities from making, importing, selling, leasing, advertising, possessing, using, or modifying any SIM box, and from helping others do so.
  • Defines a SIM box as equipment that pools multiple SIMs to obscure call or data origin and bypass carrier controls, with specific exclusions for authorized, government, testing, and other permitted uses.
  • Requires the FCC to adopt implementing regulations within 180 days, publish and maintain non‑exhaustive lists of prohibited and permissible devices, and set procedures for manufacturers to demonstrate exclusions.
  • Mandates coordination with DHS, Customs, the Attorney General, the FTC, and state attorneys general for enforcement and information sharing.
  • Establishes enforcement tools: each violation (including each day of a continuing violation) is a separate offense, the FCC can issue cease‑and‑desist orders, and mobile service providers can bring civil actions for injunctions and damages.
  • Provides a safe‑harbor for mobile providers acting in good faith to detect or mitigate SIM box activity, while limiting liability for unrelated or abusive use of obtained information.
  • Amends forfeiture and privacy provisions to allow seizure of devices involved in prohibited SIM box activity and to permit assistance to federal agencies.
  • Preempts any state or local law that conflicts with the federal SIM box prohibitions, unless the state law is stricter on the same issue.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 1, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 1, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 1, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 1, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10705

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 1, 2026

Mr. Shreve (for himself, Mr. Subramanyam, and Mr. Menendez) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish prohibitions with respect to SIM boxes, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stop SIM Box Scams Act.

2.

SIM boxes

(a)

In general

Part I of title III of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

346.

SIM boxes

(a)

Prohibition

No individual or entity may, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, carry out any of the following activities:

(1)

Manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, lease, advertise, possess, use, or distribute any SIM box.

(2)

Reprogram, adapt, configure, or otherwise modify any device, equipment, software, system, or service to enable such device, equipment, software, system, or service to function, in whole or in part, as a SIM box.

(3)

Assist, including by knowingly allowing on the property of such individual or entity, an activity specified in paragraph (1) or (2) that is carried out by another individual or entity.

(b)

Applicability

Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to activities carried out on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.

(c)

Implementation

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission shall—

(1)

promulgate regulations with respect to the implementation of this section, including regulations to establish procedures for clarifying and refining the definition of the term SIM box to ensure that such term—

(A)

includes all items that are functionally equivalent to a SIM box; and

(B)

excludes any device, equipment, software, system, or service used for a permissible purpose, as determined by the Commission;

(2)

publish, and thereafter maintain—

(A)

a non-exhaustive list of devices, equipment, software, systems, and services prohibited under subsection (a); and

(B)

a non-exhaustive list of devices, equipment, software, systems, services, and uses permissible pursuant to an exclusion described in subsection (h)(3)(B); and

(3)

establish procedures, as appropriate, for manufacturers and distributors to—

(A)

demonstrate that any device, equipment, software, system, or service, that would otherwise be a SIM box, is not a SIM box by reason of such device, equipment, software, system, or service satisfying an exclusion described in subsection (h)(3)(B); and

(B)

ensure accurate advertising.

(d)

Coordination

In carrying out this section, the Commission shall coordinate with—

(1)

the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Attorney General, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies to prevent the importation and distribution of SIM boxes; and

(2)

the Federal Trade Commission, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general with respect to enforcement, information sharing, and training.

(e)

Enforcement

(1)

Treatment of violations

For purposes of enforcement pursuant to the provisions of this Act, each SIM box manufactured, imported, sold, offered for sale, leased, advertised, possessed, used, or distributed in violation of this section, each item reprogrammed, adapted, configured, or otherwise modified in violation of this section, and each day of a continuing violation of this section, may be treated as a separate violation of this section.

(2)

Cease and Desist Orders

The Commission may, after determining that an individual or entity is carrying out an activity in violation of this section, issue a temporary cease-and-desist order requiring such individual or entity to immediately stop such activity and such order may remain in effect for up to 180 days (unless extended by the Commission after the provision of notice and an opportunity for a hearing).

(3)

Private right of action

(A)

In general

A provider of mobile service injured by an activity in violation of this section, or a regulation promulgated under this section, may bring in an appropriate district court of the United States—

(i)

an action to enjoin the violation;

(ii)

an action to recover damages; or

(iii)

both such actions.

(B)

Attorney’s fees

The court may award to a prevailing party in an action brought under this paragraph reasonable attorney’s fees, as determined by the court.

(f)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing, with respect to the preceding 1-year period, the implementation of this section, including associated enforcement activities and efforts of the Commission to coordinate with Federal agencies and State attorneys general with respect to enforcement activities.

(g)

Safe harbor

(1)

In general

No cause of action may be brought in any court or administrative agency against any provider of mobile service on account of any act undertaken by, or on behalf of, such provider if such act was undertaken in good faith and there was a reasonable basis to believe that such act was necessary or appropriate to detect, identify, locate, mitigate, disrupt, or support an enforcement action with respect to a SIM box, including an act—

(A)

to monitor the equipment, networks, or systems of such provider in relation to detecting, identifying, locating, mitigating, disrupting, or supporting an enforcement action with respect to a SIM box; or

(B)

to provide to the Commission or another Federal or State agency, in relation to detecting, identifying, locating, mitigating, disrupting, or supporting an enforcement action with respect to a SIM box—

(i)

information or access to information (including communication records, communication contents, and other information relating to a customer or communication);

(ii)

access to facilities; or

(iii)

other reasonable assistance.

(2)

Limitation

Paragraph (1) does not apply to any act to the extent such act—

(A)

is unrelated to detecting, identifying, locating, mitigating, disrupting, or supporting an enforcement action with respect to a SIM box;

(B)

involves the use, retention, or disclosure of information obtained through an act described in such paragraph for a purpose that is unrelated to the detection, identification, location, mitigation, disruption, or support of an enforcement action with respect to a SIM box, unless such use, retention, or disclosure is required by law; or

(C)

constitutes willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith.

(3)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to—

(A)

create, for a provider of mobile service, a duty to monitor the equipment, networks, or systems of such provider or to provide to any entity—

(i)

information or access to information (including communication records, communication contents, and other information relating to a customer or communication);

(ii)

access to facilities; or

(iii)

other assistance; or

(B)

affect, with respect to a provider of mobile service, the availability of any legal defense, including a defense under common law or statute.

(h)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Mobile service

The term mobile service has the meaning given such term in section 3 of this Act.

(2)

SIM

The term SIM means a physical subscriber identity module, a non-physical subscriber identity module, or any comparable credential or profile used to authenticate a device or user with respect to a mobile service.

(3)

SIM box

(A)

In general

The term SIM box means any device, equipment, software, system, or service (including any virtualized, remote, or cloud-based system, platform, or service) that—

(i)

enables, or is designed, advertised, or reasonably expected to enable, the automated pooling, rotation, multiplexing, or concurrent use of 2 or more SIMs, International Mobile Subscriber Identities, or equivalent credentials to originate, route, forward, or terminate communications with respect to a mobile service; and

(ii)

is designed, advertised, or reasonably expected to—

(I)

obscure or misrepresent call or data origin;

(II)

defeat caller identity authentication or traceback; or

(III)

bypass or evade lawful controls of a provider of mobile service, including interconnection agreements, access charge arrangements, and numbering policies.

(B)

Exclusions

The term SIM box does not include the following:

(i)

Any device, equipment, software, system, or service authorized or licensed by the Commission for a purpose permissible under this Act.

(ii)

Any device, equipment, software, system, or service used solely by a Federal, State, Tribal, or local government for an official purpose.

(iii)

Any device, equipment, software, system, or service used solely within a laboratory or another testing facility recognized by the Commission for conformance, security, or interoperability testing, if such device, equipment, software, system, or service is not offered for sale or public use.

(iv)

Any device, equipment, software, system, or service used for purposes of the internal testing of equipment or systems by a provider of mobile service authorized or licensed by the Commission.

(v)

Any other device, equipment, software, system, or service the Commission determines appropriate.

.

(b)

Forfeiture of communications devices

Section 510(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 510(a)) is amended by inserting and any item with respect to which an activity prohibited under section 346 is carried out in violation of such section, or rules prescribed by the Commission under such section, after sections,.

(c)

Privacy of customer information

Section 222(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222(d)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(5) to provide assistance to a Federal agency with respect to a SIM box consistent with section 346.

.

(d)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act, including the amendments made by this Act, may be construed to limit any other authority of a Federal agency, including the Federal Communications Commission, including any authority with respect to the following:

(1)

Caller identification.

(2)

Robocall mitigation.

(3)

Fraud.

(4)

Equipment authorization.

(5)

Numbering administration.

(6)

Critical infrastructure protection.

(7)

Radio magnetic spectrum monitoring.

(8)

Disaster response coordination.

(9)

Public safety communications.

(e)

Preemption

(1)

In general

No State, or political subdivision of a State, may maintain, enforce, prescribe, or continue in effect any law, rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law that conflicts, or is otherwise inconsistent, with this Act, or the amendments made by this Act.

(2)

Rule of construction

For purposes of paragraph (1), a law, rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law may not be treated as in conflict, or otherwise inconsistent, with this Act to the extent that such law, rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision imposes a limitation—

(A)

with respect to SIM boxes (only as such term is defined in section 346(h) of the Communications Act of 1934); and

(B)

that is more strict than the limitations imposed by this Act, including the amendments made by this Act.

(f)

Severability

If any provision of this Act, or the application of such a provision to any individual, entity, or circumstance, is held invalid, the remaining provisions of this Act, and the application of such provisions to any other individual, entity, or circumstance, may not be affected.