SA Fake Facebook Account - Can I Be Charged?

[Bill75]

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

 

[Sophea]

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]

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

 

[Bill75]

Could anyone else help with there opinion

 

[DennisD]

It is not a 'grey area' as you suggest. You have absolutely no right to do that.

 

[Bill75]

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]

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.