OH SB145

Creates two new criminal offenses: theft or conversion of a telephone number or exchange, and providing misleading caller identification information in connection with telecommunications or voice over internet protocol services.

Theft or conversion of a telephone number or exchange is a felony of the fifth degree; providing misleading caller identification information is a felony of the fourth degree.

Penalties increase to felony of the fourth degree for theft of a phone number and felony of the third degree for misleading caller identification when the victim is an elderly person, disabled adult, active duty service member, or spouse of an active duty service member.

Exempts use of telephone numbers identified as "unknown" or "blocked" and calls where the caller leaves a message and includes their identity.

Violations are considered unfair or deceptive consumer practices; injured consumers may pursue civil remedies and keep goods or services obtained through the violation without payment obligation.