Change Content of an Email?

[Eva 14]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

How easy would it be for someone to change the content of an email that you have sent the person, and then to forward the bogus email to other parties, with the intent to embarrass the sender or to get him or her into some other sort of trouble?

For example, 'John Smith' and 'Mary Smith' are siblings who despise each other. They haven't spoken to one another in years, but recently both of their parents have passed away. John is now Trustee of the family trust, and Mary is a beneficiary. Suddenly, there are practical issues that need to be discussed.

Mary sends John an email inquiring about an aspect of the Trust, or other related financial issues. Without Mary's consent, John forwards the email to the family Trust lawyer, to Mary's financial advisor, and to several other people. However, John has changed the content of Mary's email with the intention of embarrassing her and trying to ruin her reputation.

While the screen may read: At 7:04 pm, Mary Smith wrote:
In fact, Mary did not write the email that is being forwarded by John. Mary may have written some words or sentences of said email, but John has 'tweaked' the email, adding words and phrases that Mary never wrote in the original. Mary ends up being cast in a very bad light and otherwise embarrassed in front of her colleagues.

What can Mary do to defend herself in such a situation? Has John committed a crime, and if so, what is the name of the crime?

I believe that Internet Service Providers keep records of all email exchanges, but for how long? Doesn't one need a subpoena in order to get these records? I'm sure the original unchanged email would also be somewhere in the 'Sent' folder of Mary's email, if she does indeed keep a folder of 'sent' emails. Sometimes 'sent' emails are saved; other times they are not saved. I know this data can likely be retrieved by a computer professional.

Thanks in advance.

 

[STEPHAN]

Any e-mail can be faked in minutes. I can with no effort send an e-mail to a third person and pretend it comes from you with your e-mail as a sender.

Also any received and send e-mail can easily be faked.

PS: What does this have to do with you?

 

[AdoptADog]

Change Content of an Email

It is quite simple to hit the forward button, then make changes to what what was originally sent, and then send it along.

The originator should still have what was sent the first time in the outbox, if preferences are set up to save them.

Looking at your posts, if your brother is doing this to your emails regarding the trust, you REALLY need a lawyer to handle your end. Let everything go through the lawyer to mitigate the stress of the relationship.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

How easy would it be for someone to change the content of an email that you have sent the person, and then to forward the bogus email to other parties, with the intent to embarrass the sender or to get him or her into some other sort of trouble?

For example, 'John Smith' and 'Mary Smith' are siblings who despise each other. They haven't spoken to one another in years, but recently both of their parents have passed away. John is now Trustee of the family trust, and Mary is a beneficiary. Suddenly, there are practical issues that need to be discussed.

Mary sends John an email inquiring about an aspect of the Trust, or other related financial issues. Without Mary's consent, John forwards the email to the family Trust lawyer, to Mary's financial advisor, and to several other people. However, John has changed the content of Mary's email with the intention of embarrassing her and trying to ruin her reputation.

While the screen may read: At 7:04 pm, Mary Smith wrote:
In fact, Mary did not write the email that is being forwarded by John. Mary may have written some words or sentences of said email, but John has 'tweaked' the email, adding words and phrases that Mary never wrote in the original. Mary ends up being cast in a very bad light and otherwise embarrassed in front of her colleagues.

What can Mary do to defend herself in such a situation? Has John committed a crime, and if so, what is the name of the crime?

I believe that Internet Service Providers keep records of all email exchanges, but for how long? Doesn't one need a subpoena in order to get these records? I'm sure the original unchanged email would also be somewhere in the 'Sent' folder of Mary's email, if she does indeed keep a folder of 'sent' emails. Sometimes 'sent' emails are saved; other times they are not saved. I know this data can likely be retrieved by a computer professional.

Thanks in advance.

Eva 14, all of the threads you have created in recent days appear to center on problems with your brother as they relate to your mother and her death. For this reason, it helps the volunteers on this forum to have all of your questions kept to ONE thread instead of scattered around the forum. The background information in your situation is important. Thanks.

For the benefit of others, here are links to your current threads:

https://forum.freeadvice.com/wills-...e-trustee-do-i-need-my-own-lawyer-620013.html
https://forum.freeadvice.com/elder-...-115/financial-elder-abuse-claims-620047.html
https://forum.freeadvice.com/domest...phone-conversation-recorded-saved-620081.html

It is potentially possible to be criminally charged, or sued, over emails sent (or modified) under another person's name. Some of the laws to consider: fraud, invasion of privacy/false light, defamation, identity theft.

As advised in one of your threads, you should seek out the assistance of an attorney in your area who can address this issue and all of the issues you are having with your brother. After a personal review of the history of the problems you have had with your brother over your mother and her estate, the attorney will be able to advise you accordingly. Good luck.

 

[not2cleverRed]

As others have said, it is *incredibly* easy to alter emails before forwarding.

In fact, it is rather easy to send completely fake emails as "forwarded" even if you have sent no emails at all.

In addition to hiring a lawyer, it is in your best interest to stop using casual, poorly documented means of communication with your brother. Even if.

 

[quincy]

I agree with not2cleverRed that emails are a poor form of communication if you need to have documentation as they can be easily faked.

Although handwritten letters might seem "old fashioned," for documentation purposes they are smart. You should keep a record (copies) for yourself of all letters sent, sending the original letters certified mail, return receipt requested.

Here, for your information, is a link to California's Penal Code on impersonation, which is another law that can be considered when emails are faked. Refer to CA Code 528.5: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-010000&file=528-539

But, again, with all of the problems you are having with your brother over your mother's estate, you really need to sit down with an attorney in your area and get these problems legally resolved. A forum can only do so much. Good luck.

 

[cbg]

The difficulties with her brother have evidently been going on for some time.

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183919&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176716&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176058&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175050&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172547&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165868&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165754&highlight=

 

[quincy]

The difficulties with her brother have evidently been going on for some time.

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183919&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176716&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176058&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175050&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172547&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165868&highlight=

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165754&highlight=

Yikes!!!!!!!

 

[Eekamouse]

Yikes!!!!!!!

That was EXACTLY my response to reading all of her posts from that other board. Jiminy Christmas! Is she for real or another Totalwreck kind of crazy?

 

[quincy]

That was EXACTLY my response to reading all of her posts from that other board. Jiminy Christmas! Is she for real or another Totalwreck kind of crazy?

Haha. I had forgotten about Totalwreck.

I am not sure whether Eva 14 is for real or not but it is pretty clear that, real or not, professional help of some sort is needed.

 

[Eva 14]

Thank you for the helpful legal advice and instructions in how to properly use the forum.

As for the allegations of 'crazy' or needing 'professional help'---why say that to someone whom you don't even know? Especially when someone has posted that she is going through a difficult time in her life?

The latest issue of Glamour magazine has several interesting articles about social media bullying, 'troll mobs', and other Internet etiquette.

I'm just saying that there is a real person on the other end of the computer, so please be mindful of that. Glamour suggests people write things such as "Ouch." or "Please, have respect". I'll leave it at that.

I will seek the advice of an attorney regarding my brother's actions and my mother's estate. And if I have a legal question in the future, I'll post it here. I think a lot of people get driven off of these forums for various reasons.

 

[Eekamouse]

Thank you for the helpful legal advice and instructions in how to properly use the forum.

As for the allegations of 'crazy' or needing 'professional help'---why say that to someone whom you don't even know? Especially when someone has posted that she is going through a difficult time in her life?

The latest issue of Glamour magazine has several interesting articles about social media bullying, 'troll mobs', and other Internet etiquette.

I'm just saying that there is a real person on the other end of the computer, so please be mindful of that. Glamour suggests people write things such as "Ouch." or "Please, have respect". I'll leave it at that.

I will seek the advice of an attorney regarding my brother's actions and my mother's estate. And if I have a legal question in the future, I'll post it here. I think a lot of people get driven off of these forums for various reasons.

You're probably right about that but c'mon, try to reread your posts as an outsider looking in and you might be able to understand the way it looks to us.

 

[Silverplum]

I wouldn't know what to do with a 'Glamour' magazine, and I didn't ever expect to have one discussed here.

 

[not2cleverRed]

Thank you for the helpful legal advice and instructions in how to properly use the forum.

As for the allegations of 'crazy' or needing 'professional help'---why say that to someone whom you don't even know? Especially when someone has posted that she is going through a difficult time in her life?

The latest issue of Glamour magazine has several interesting articles about social media bullying, 'troll mobs', and other Internet etiquette.

I'm just saying that there is a real person on the other end of the computer, so please be mindful of that. Glamour suggests people write things such as "Ouch." or "Please, have respect". I'll leave it at that.

I will seek the advice of an attorney regarding my brother's actions and my mother's estate. And if I have a legal question in the future, I'll post it here. I think a lot of people get driven off of these forums for various reasons.

Look lady, you clearly haven't bothered reading the rules and kept your posts (which ARE all related) together.

And clearly you ARE courting drama. Stop reading Glamour. Stop communicating directly with your brother. De-drama llama your life.

That's legal AND personal advise.

 

[quincy]

Thank you for the helpful legal advice and instructions in how to properly use the forum.

As for the allegations of 'crazy' or needing 'professional help'---why say that to someone whom you don't even know? Especially when someone has posted that she is going through a difficult time in her life?

There are several types of professionals from whom one can seek help. The professional you need for your estate matters will be a legal professional. The professional you need to handle the seemingly-toxic relationship you have with your brother will be either a therapist or a counselor. We handle only legal issues on this forum. For assistance with your other needs, you have to look elsewhere.

The latest issue of Glamour magazine has several interesting articles about social media bullying, 'troll mobs', and other Internet etiquette.

I'm just saying that there is a real person on the other end of the computer, so please be mindful of that. Glamour suggests people write things such as "Ouch." or "Please, have respect". I'll leave it at that.

I took a brief look at some of the many articles published by Glamour magazine on bullying and trolls. Glamour magazine has focused on one type of internet troll/bully - the type that shows up on social media sites like Facebook to taunt and insult identified people, which can lead to real-life harm.

This forum tends to attract another sort of internet troll/bully. These trolls will post phony threads (sometimes several threads in rapid succession) and the topics of these threads are often controversial or nonsensical. The sole purpose of these threads is to elicit negative responses from the forum volunteers, this so the troll/bully can feel justified in attacking the forum and its members.

It is frequently difficult for the forum volunteers to distinguish between the sincere poster with legitimate legal needs, and the troll poster who has created phony legal issues with the attempt to bait volunteers. If you are the former type of poster, great. You are the sort of poster to this site who we are happy to help where we can. If you are the latter, "Ouch. Please, have respect," and I'll leave it at that.

I will seek the advice of an attorney regarding my brother's actions and my mother's estate. And if I have a legal question in the future, I'll post it here. I think a lot of people get driven off of these forums for various reasons.

Your legal question asked here has been answered as much as it can be. You have two other active threads, both of which also advise that you seek legal assistance in your area. I am glad that this is what you intend to do. The estate matters appear to be a tangled mess but could be easier to solve than the tangled mess of your relationship with your brother. I suggest you seek professional help in dealing with that problem as well.

Good luck.