SA Fake Facebook Account - Can I Be Charged?

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Bill75

Member
21 December 2014
4
1
1
Hi, I set up a fake Facebook account under one of my ex friends name, I have been talking to her using this other person name to find out if she was seeing someone else and now I have been caught out but she doesn't know its me, she has passed the information on to ACORN, what will happen next and will I be charged and will she find out it was me, thanks
 
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Sophea

Guest
Hi Bill75, yes using someone’s personal information to create a profile or account to harass or offend them can be a crime. It may also be in breach of the website’s terms of use. It is a contravention of Facebook's rules to create an account for anyone else without their permission.

For example, if you were to create a public Facebook page under a different' person's name, using their real personal details and photograph you could face charges for identity theft, stalking or using the internet in a menacing, harassing or offensive way.

I'm not sure what ACORN are able to trace with technology or whether they would be able to identify you.
 

Bill75

Member
21 December 2014
4
1
1
Hi Bill75, yes using someone’s personal information to create a profile or account to harass or offend them can be a crime. It may also be in breach of the website’s terms of use. It is a contravention of Facebook's rules to create an account for anyone else without their permission.

For example, if you were to create a public Facebook page under a different' person's name, using their real personal details and photograph you could face charges for identity theft, stalking or using the internet in a menacing, harassing or offensive way.

I'm not sure what ACORN are able to trace with technology or whether they would be able to identify you.
I did not use a photo just picked a person in her friends list and used that name, I used different date of birth, I belive it is a very grey area but I do know it was morally wrong, thanks
 

DennisD

Well-Known Member
11 July 2014
179
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589
It is not a 'grey area' as you suggest. You have absolutely no right to do that.
 

Bill75

Member
21 December 2014
4
1
1
Yes I know I had no right to do this, yes ok it's no grey area, what will be the out come, what will happen next?
 

Sarah J

Well-Known Member
16 July 2014
1,314
251
2,389
Melbourne, Victoria
It depends on whether ACORN will investigate the matter. Yes, they are able to trace the ID back to you by using the IP tracking. I would immediately shut down the account, write a formal apology to the person whose identity you stole assuring them you will not do anything of this sort again, and hope ACORN does not decide to pursue the matter.