My ex-girlfriend stole my email from my account

[greengrass]

I signed into my email account at my ex's home using her computer, I forgot to sign out, left the house for a couple of hours then came back to find that she had been through all my private email. She wound me up even further by saying that she used my email account to e-mail loads of my emails to herself to read at her leisure.

Can I sue her if I can prove that she effectively stole my private email? Does it matter that it was using her computer in her home and I forgot to sign out?

[twl845]

I would just sign up with a different e-mail provider, with a completely different e-mail address. If you can cancel the one you have, do that too. That's the quickest and most painless thing I can think of. Lesson learned.

[BlueZannetti]

One post removed. Folks, keep it civil from all perspectives.

Blue

[Escalader]

{QUOTE-> I signed into my email account at my ex's home using her computer, I forgot to sign out, left the house for a couple of hours then came back to find that she had been through all my private email. She wound me up even further by saying that she used my email account to e-mail loads of my emails to herself to read at her leisure.

Can I sue her if I can prove that she effectively stole my private email? Does it matter that it was using her computer in her home and I forgot to sign out? <-QUOTE}


Hello:

There are lessons worth learning for us all in your story.

1) when you use another persons computer you should have permission
2) when you leave a PC on and signed in to the www you are exposed to others using that system and gaining access to private data, lock PC with psw when leaving
3) once security has been breeched, as in this case, you need to follow twl845's advice about a new email account and cancel your existing one via the same isp
4) In the interim on the old email get prepared for spam

On a personal note, forget the legal suing idea and get on with life

Good luck

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> I signed into my email account at my ex's home using her computer, I forgot to sign out, left the house for a couple of hours then came back to find that she had been through all my private email. She wound me up even further by saying that she used my email account to e-mail loads of my emails to herself to read at her leisure.

Can I sue her if I can prove that she effectively stole my private email? Does it matter that it was using her computer in her home and I forgot to sign out? <-QUOTE}

Unfortunately legally I don't think there is much you can do. Maybe there is though, I'd find myself a lawyer and see. Legally the cyber-world still seems to be a gray area (unless you're hacking/downloading kiddie pics that is). That you didn't sign out of your account, there goes the hacking accusation. And, unless she then uses your emails for blackmail or screwing with bank accounts or the like (if you had that kind of information in your emails), she basically snooped, which is wrong, but whether it holds up in court I doubt.

There might be one silver lining, but it would be impossible to prove: By transferring your personal emails to herself, you COULD claim theft. BUT, the big problem is 1. There's absolutely no way to prove SHE forwarded the emails to herself, especially since the account was still logged in. 2. If you REALLY want to get technical, she didn't steal anything because the emails were not transferred to another computer or off-site (if she DOES forward them to anyone else, you might have a case, IF you manage to prove SHE was the one who forwarded them and not you.)

In all honesty, I don't think even the most sneaky of lawyers could make anything of this one. I'm sorry to say that, but I believe it to be true.

[the Tester]

You have to prove damages first like stealing from your bank account etc..
The question also would be whether not signing out of your account contributed in a negligent way.

[Hiker]

I'd just change the password (before she does)

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> I'd just change the password (before she does) <-QUOTE}

What does that matter if the emails are already forwarded? Depending on the emails contained in the account, the damage can already be done. All he can do at this point is 1. Hope she's just being a little brat and won't do anything with the information she gets out of them. 2. Warn any banks, credit card companies or other accounts that the emails contained information on that the email account was compromised. That way they have a little heads up if the crap starts hitting the fan.

[Hiker]

{QUOTE-> What does that matter if the emails are already forwarded? Depending on the emails contained in the account, the damage can already be done. All he can do at this point is 1. Hope she's just being a little brat and won't do anything with the information she gets out of them. 2. Warn any banks, credit card companies or other accounts that the emails contained information on that the email account was compromised. That way they have a little heads up if the crap starts hitting the fan. <-QUOTE}

Well, others told him to start a new email, it's easier to just change the password. You can still notify whoever needs to be.

[Saraceno]

Start using a portable version of say firefox from www.portableapps.com and a portable version of www.ccleaner.com

You can browse with your own internet browser (own bookmarks), and if you did forget to use firefox (for some reason) you can clear all cookies and login info with one button in ccleaner.

Legally, unless she uses your information for malicious reasons, don't think there's anything you can do. Think of over the years, when someone's diary was read. Same as an email account, it's more embarrassing for the person whose diary it was more than anything else.

Start changing all your passwords and 'secret questions' now. No use changing the password if the secret question remains the same.

[Less]

she login your email...

But you enter her house and use her computer...;D

[StevieO]

I'd change my GF as well !

[greengrass]

Thanks guys,

I was surprised by some of the responses. I did expect to read that I had a good case against her, but it seems I don't since I can't prove any of the allegations.

I would love to sue her though, she absolutely deserves it for poking into my private life. I really felt naked and powerless.

Anyway I'll take everyone's advice and knock it on the head, lesson learned. I'll wait and see, if she uses any of the info against me then I will have reason to take it further, in the meantime I'll change my password. Damned b@#ch

[loli22]

why would you go to your ex's home:blink: ???

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> why would you go to your ex's home:blink: ??? <-QUOTE}

Um, you're kidding, right? There is such a thing as friendships, joint custody, and such things. Really, who asks such stupid questions? Anyway, this one is done with, nothing to do but move on.

[ssj100]

{QUOTE-> Um, you're kidding, right? There is such a thing as friendships, joint custody, and such things. Really, who asks such stupid questions? Anyway, this one is done with, nothing to do but move on. <-QUOTE}

Perhaps he is a sensitive 9 year old kid asking genuine questions...and you just destroyed any shred of confidence he had left by your statements...

[thathagat]

{QUOTE-> Perhaps he is a sensitive 9 year old kid asking genuine questions... <-QUOTE}
about....e-mail...female and probable blackmail.....ayo technology:shifty:

[ssj100]

{QUOTE-> about....e-mail...female and probable blackmail.....ayo technology:shifty: <-QUOTE}

Dude, not everyone understands/comprehends everything that they read.

[greengrass]

{QUOTE-> why would you go to your ex's home:blink: ??? <-QUOTE}

We were still friends or so I thought, and I am close to her children.

[StevieO]

greengrass

You sound like decent guy, i'm sorry you've been messed about, and i hope you find someone who deserves you more soon, i'm sure you will. We all have to live n learn, hard sometimes, but makes you wiser n stronger in the long run, which is ALL good.

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> about....e-mail...female and probable blackmail.....ayo technology:shifty: <-QUOTE}

LOL.

Ssj, I assume you were kidding with the 9 year old comment, but if you weren't, get real, lol, no 9yo is likely to ask that, let alone get involved in this thread.

[greengrass]

{QUOTE-> greengrass

You sound like decent guy, i'm sorry you've been messed about, and i hope you find someone who deserves you more soon, i'm sure you will. We all have to live n learn, hard sometimes, but makes you wiser n stronger in the long run, which is ALL good. <-QUOTE}

Thanks StevieO for the sentiment. I know there is plenty of fish in the sea, we just need to avoid the sharks. I Learned the hard way but learn I did.

Funnily enough in the 3 years I've known her this is the first time I have used her PC to access my email, what a mistake:ouch:. I just have to sweat it out and see if she does anything with the private info she stole.

[BlueZannetti]

With that, let's close out discussion here. Best of luck greengrass.

Blue