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JHUstudent's avatar

A little bit of a stolen identity crisis...Need some suggestions?

Asked by JHUstudent (692points) January 24th, 2012

I recently received an text message from a friend. The text mentioned an e-mail that I had sent her the day before. I had no recollection of sending her an e-mail, so I asked what she was talking about. I come to find that someone had been sending her e-mail, pretending to be me. They had an e-mail address that was very similar to mine, just off by a number, and the name was registered as mine.

She forwarded me the e-mails that “I” sent to her, and this person knew everything about my life. The things he/she were saying were pretty dead on. It was very shocking.

Needless to say, I don’t know who it is, or what I can do about it. I don’t want them e-mailing other people who may think that it’s me.

The girl who got the e-mail, her e-mail is on facebook, so that could have easily been how this person got her e-mail address. But is there anything I can do to stop this? I’m a little worried. Has anyone been in this situation before? I need some help.

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10 Answers

Nullo's avatar

I would start by contacting the proper authorities. And keep an eye on your credit card transactions, juuuuust in case.

Bellatrix's avatar

Identity theft is illegal and while this not be messing with your financial transactions, they are still pretending to be you. Don’t know if they could be charged with ID theft, but I am sure their actions are not legal. I would do as @Nullo suggests, speak to the authorities. I would be worried about how this person knows so much about me and why they feel the need to do this.

auhsojsa's avatar

What service are you using?

JHUstudent's avatar

It was a very old e-mail address I had, @aol..com This person used a yahoo.com address with a very similar name. And like I said, registered with my name.

trailsillustrated's avatar

It’s someone you know. Warn everyone that you care about, think hard about anyone you knew back when you had that address. They can’t pose as you to get id or rob your bank account or do anything else but this kind of thing. But, it’s someone you knew or know. It’s harmless but weird. Don’t get too upset by it.

JHUstudent's avatar

Yeah, I figured it was someone I know. Very well. Which kinda sucks to think about.

john65pennington's avatar

I joined LifeLock for $20 dollars a month. Each time a suspicious email or an inquiry about money occurs, LifeLock is on top of it and notifies me.This is a small amount to pay for peace of mind.

$20 dollars a month is a small amount compared to the services LifeLock offers.

Check it out.

auhsojsa's avatar

Go to Yahoo and file a report. Here Is Compromised Link

Response moderated (Spam)
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