Harassment Via Fake Emails

Davesnave

I have a relative who is being contacted by businesses responding to email enquiries they believe she's made regarding care homes, will writing, estate agency and similar services.

The real originator of the emails is known. They are currently using an address which closely resembles my relative's email address at work.

Is there any way mischievous impersonation can be proven, or is this just something to be lived-with till it stops?
While it's a hassle for all concerned, I wouldn't imagine the police having much interest at this stage.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Bollotom

Have a look at this. It's a lot to take in but covers Protection from Harassment Act. I would be getting ready to go to the police and act on her complaint that the harassment is causing her alarm and fear. She may also ask for help from her company's IT department if there is one. If the police won't act, she can make an official complaint to the Chief Constable. Also a visit to a solicitor for free advice (I think 30 minutes) and also CAB :cool:

kwikbreaks

I'm puzzled here. A reply to an email goes to the sender. Now that sender may be spoofed but sfaik there is no technology in existence that causes replies to go to "an address which closely resembles" the true sender. If somebody is registering for services using her email then that isn't the same as somebody having a similar email.

Meanwhile getting a load of junk emails is hardly the end of the world - plenty of people get junk emails which they simply delete.

Davesnave

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I'm puzzled here. A reply to an email goes to the sender. Now that sender may be spoofed but sfaik there is no technology in existence that causes replies to go to "an address which closely resembles" the true sender. If somebody is registering for services using her email then that isn't the same as somebody having a similar email.

Meanwhile getting a load of junk emails is hardly the end of the world - plenty of people get junk emails which they simply delete.

She isn't getting junk emails. She's getting phone calls from people offering to put her mother in their nice care home, write her will and sell her house etc.

The email address used to sign-up for estate agent services was in the same format as others in her workplace. It was a well-researched guess. She doesn't actually use that email facility at all.

Davesnave

So it seems the answer is nothing can be done, as the Protection from Harassment Act requires evidence in order to be implemented, and no one has suggested a way to gather that evidence.

I simplified my question. In reality, other family members aged 80 are also being targeted, and this worries them far more than the younger person. Like me, she takes comfort from the fact that these nasty individuals can only pursue their silly one sided vendetta in such a pathetic way.

Bricks though the window would be much worse.

kwikbreaks

Ah I see.

Caller display and don't pick up on unknown numbers unless expecting a call. I've been doing that for years. If I don't pick up on a genuine caller they have the option to leave a message. I'm guessing deleting a junk call message is going to be less stressful than talking to a salesperson.

Just after I turned 50 I started getting junk mail for hearing aids and stairlifts. My son denied all knowledge so it could just have been Saga touting for business. It eventually stopped - there are only so many peddlars of this sort of stuff and if they don't recognise a lost cause they'll hopefully go out of business. This theory doesn't seem to apply to VM unfotunately who seem to send me enough junk mail to power a small incinerator provining power for a village.