(a)        Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, any person who violates this Article is guilty of a Class H felony. In any criminal proceeding brought under this Article, the crime is considered to be committed in the county where the customer resides, where the defendant resides, where any part of the offense took place, or in any other county instrumental to the completion of the offense, regardless of whether the defendant was ever actually present in that county.

(b)        A violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-331.31 is a violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1, except that a customer whose telephone records were obtained, sold, or solicited in violation of this Article shall be entitled to damages pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-16, or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is greater. (2007-374, s. 1.)