Email Theft...Is it illegal?

[otbrink]

I live in the state of New York.

Without getting into details, I would like to know if it is illegal to access someone's email account (yahoo, aol, etc.) by figuring out their password without their consent?

If so, what can be done to someone that accesses another's email and sends it out without the account owner's consent or permission? And what legal agency would be used to prosecute such an offender assuming it is illegal to unkowingly access a person's email without their consent?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Without getting into details, I would like to know if it is illegal to access someone's email account (yahoo, aol, etc.) by figuring out their password without their consent?

Yes, no and maybe. And that all depends on the relationship between the parties and about 100 other conditions and scenarios.

If so, what can be done to someone that accesses another's email and sends it out without the account owner's consent or permission?

1. death by firing squad.
2. Louisville Slugger to the knees.
3. Cut them off from morning sex.
4. Lorena Bobbit (OUCH!)

 

[otbrink]

reply to belize...

the scenario is a former friend accessing another former friends email through their own home computer - not the friend who's email address it is. is it illegal for a former friend to access one's email and use it against the contents against the former friend?

is that some kind of harrassment?

 

[Dandy Don]

How did this person get access to the e-mail account holder's password--if the e-mail account holder gave him the password, it is not illegal. However, if you think this person is accessing the e-mail account improperly, the first step would be to inform the e-mail company and let them investigate, and then if nothing is done, talk to your local police department. Computer law is fairly new and some actions may not yet be covered, but this is so simple and basic that most police departments do have a staff member on hand to handle or advise about e-mail improprieties to see if there is a law to cover it or not. Sometimes if there is not a state law there is a federal law that applies.