What are the consequences of listening to people's telephones and police radios by way of scanner frequencies?
by 
pudzey101
ANSWERS: 3
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Listening to phone calls is a federal offense. Listening to police and fire frequencies is legal, but use of mobile scanners is restricted in some states. I listen to police and Coast Guard radio all the time here in Oregon.
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Nothing. I know people who have been doing it for years. Oh, you mean really? I think it actually is illegal now, but unless you are using information (credit card numbers, etc) and not just listening like a radio station - if found out, you, I'm sure could be prosecuted - for the crime of the usage of the information obtained. I don't know of anyone who has been caught, though. I have a friend who had the police come to their door to ask about a neighbor and their scanner was on top of their tv - visable and a foot from the cops and nothing was said. This was a big tabletop one and not a handheld one.
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I can only addres the police scanner aspect, of your question. listening to police calls, is illegal in some jurisdictions. some police departments have given up on prosecution and instead, have gone to secret radio frequencies. its complex and it works. some police departments have as many as 482 different secret frequencies, which makes it impossible for a civillian to listen in on the calls. This change was granted by the FCC for obvious reasons. the criminals were listening. but, not anymore in certain cities.
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