We all have countless internet accounts these days. Whether it’s emails, social networking accounts, gaming accounts. With their growing number, the number of misuse of someone else’s identity on the Internet or other misuse of access data is also increasing. Is there anything that can be done in this case?
Mr. Petr, whose e-mail box was stolen, contacted the office of the Accessible Advocate. The individual in question had obtained a login and password, accessed Mr. Peter’s account, and then changed the password. As a result, our client was unable to access his mailbox. He had other accounts linked to it, mainly in online computer games. As a result, he lost those as well.
The disclosure of login details must be prevented. Passwords should be unique and contain different types of characters. The more complex it is, the more difficult it will be to crack. At the same time, we should not use the same password for all accounts.
If the password has already been cracked, we recommend that the situation is dealt with as quickly as possible before an uninvited visitor causes further damage. No one would want to have a crime committed in their name in the virtual world or even have their bank account cleaned out.
If you have any doubts about the security of your data, contact the operator of the website or service immediately to request that your account be blocked.
In this situation, it will be very difficult to find out who has misused your data, and you probably won’t be able to find out without help. You will therefore need to contact the police to file a criminal complaint against an unknown offender. The police should be able to trace the perpetrator from their digital footprint.
This was also the case with our client who lost his mailbox. Because the name of the mailbox was fictitious, not the client’s real name, it was not possible to prove ownership and get it back.
Different email platforms offer different solutions. Seznam.cz recommends a single solution, i.e. to proceed via Forgotten Password. Unfortunately, there is no other solution to restore access.
There are 4 main ways to reset your password – verified phone number, verified email address, bank identity and a control question.
Gmail recommends using the password recovery page in similar cases, in case someone has changed your account information, such as your password or recovery phone number, someone has deleted your account or you cannot log in for another reason.
In such a situation,Hotmail offers a form that you can fill out to contact support, who will try to help you solve the problem.
Our team of experienced attorneys will help you solve any legal issue. Within 24 hours we’ll evaluate your situation and suggest a step-by-step solution, including all costs. The price for this proposal is only CZK 690, and this is refunded to you when you order service from us.
By misusing someone else’s identity on the internet, the perpetrator can commit many crimes. For example, it may be a violation of the confidentiality of the messages transmitted. This applies to emails, but also to messages sent via services such as Messenger, WhatsApp or Viber. At the same time, it can be a criminal offence to provide and possess an access device and password to a computer system and other such data, unauthorised access to a computer system or fraud. It would always depend on the specific conduct of the perpetrator.
The aim of “internet thieves” is often their financial gain. Very well-known cases are when a supposed friend asks you to send a small amount of money to an account or to top up the credit on a mobile phone. Most of the damage is then done by fraudsters who obtain access details to bank accounts and make unauthorised withdrawals or transfers of money.
However, the goal may also be to harm the specific person or business the identity thief will be impersonating. Again, action must be taken as soon as possible. It would probably be quite difficult to explain that you are not really the person who has publicly defamed half of your town on a Facebook group.
If an internet scammer causes you damage or harm, you are entitled to compensation. But you will only be able to claim this if you know the identity of the perpetrator. You may also be able to claim compensation for non-pecuniary damage, for example if the offender publishes intimate photographs of you that you have stored in your email inbox.
Tip: The number of data boxes in the Czech Republic will increase significantly last year. It is mandatory not only for all legal entities, but also for all self-employed persons and some non-business entities. What does the establishment of mailboxes look like and how are they secured against unauthorized access by outsiders?
Our team of experienced attorneys will help you solve any legal issue. Within 24 hours we’ll evaluate your situation and suggest a step-by-step solution, including all costs. The price for this proposal is only CZK 690, and this is refunded to you when you order service from us.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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