Bill > H341

This bill amends North Carolina's general statutes to create a new criminal offense of online impersonation. The bill defines online impersonation as knowingly and without consent impersonating another person through a website or other electronic means, such as email or social media, for the purpose of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding the impersonated person or another person. The offense is a Class H felony, and the bill also provides a civil cause of action for the impersonated person or another harmed person to recover actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees from the imposter. The bill includes exceptions for law enforcement and licensed private investigators acting in their professional capacities. The bill also creates a new unfair trade practice prohibition on sending fictitious communications designed to elicit a response, which carries penalties including punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and enforcement under North Carolina's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/H341