Ask Me Help Desk - Privacy Violation

Several months ago I subscribed to phone tracer.com. My wife and I are divorcing and today through last years bank records she finds out that I was tracing phone numbers on my bill. She calls this company and they give her all my info plus gave her a new password for my account. Which was deactivated in Jan. I got a nasty email from her. I feel the company was wrong and my privacy has been violated. They also gave her a new password. I paid this company and now they have just freely given out my private info to the one person for sure that didn't need to know. Do I have a case against this company. She is now telling everyone what I did.

You need to read your agreement with the company. It depends on that as to whether you have a case. It depends on what security they have and what info she had to give to get the info from them.

But I'm wondering just what info she got that she didn't already know? She was given a new password or the password you used. So she found out you were tracing calls made from your phone numbers. Why is that a big deal? People looking for a divorce often use a PI or such to get evidence in a divorce. Though not as much now with no fault divorces.

So I really don't see a big deal about this.

Who is paying for her phone, is it her number or your number.

You are correct, it is a privacy violation for you to track her phone, without her permission. Her proof of your actions will go against you in court. And in fact, if this was her phone, paid by her. Your actions may even be criminal if she did not give permission.

From their web site.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS. You agree to use our Products only for appropriate, legal, non-commercial purposes, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Additionally, you agree that our databases and information may not be used to bother, stalk, harass, threaten or embarrass any individual.

** also, within their policy, they may terminate your service at any time.

Also, all information in their data base is public information, (from the FAQ) so the fact you were tracing her, is also public information, that she is allowed access to. In fact during divorce, she may use the fact you were stacking (tracking) *** one persons tracking, is another persons staking** will all depend on the judges view point.

Let me rephrase, My Point is I contracted with this company because I wanted to trace the numbers on my wife's phone. Her phone was in my name and I was payng the bill. We had already separated for several months. She is living in CA and I Live in Louisiana. Of course I didn't tell her I was doing this. She had no clue, No Password , Nothing. She found out when Wells Fargo gave her a copy of her personal bank statements and a copy of our joint acct that was closed last year. She saw on that acct that I had subscribed to phonetracer, She called them Today, and was able to obtain info on my acct with them by just telling them my email and name. Plus the girl gave her a new password for my acct that I paid for, while being separated from her. If I wanted anyone to know I was tracing her phone numbers I would've told them or her. That's why there are Privacy Policies in place to Guard from that. When I called the Company today, the first time the Lady said it was against their Policy to give out any info like that and a Supervisor would be calling me back... 4 hrs went by and I called back, got a different person this time and he was shocked that someone had given her my info plus a new password to look into my business... He said he would make sure a supervisor would call me asap... That was 6 hrs ago... Now Im hearing it from her and Im pretty sure everyone will know what I was doing... Monday I will be on the Phone with an Attorney... Im not even going to call them back... I still feel my Privacy was Violated and Im catching Hell for them giving her my info

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Who is paying for her phone, is it her number or your number.

You are correct, it is a privacy violation for you to track her phone, without her permission. Her proof of your actions will go against you in court. And in fact, if this was her phone, paid by her. Your actions may even be criminal if she did not give permission.

From their web site.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS. You agree to use our Products only for appropriate, legal, non-commercial purposes, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Additionally, you agree that our databases and information may not be used to bother, stalk, harass, threaten or embarrass any individual.

** also, within their policy, they may terminate your service at any time.

Also, all information in their data base is public information, (from the FAQ) so the fact you were tracing her, is also public information, that she is allowed access to. In fact during divorce, she may use the fact you were stacking (tracking) *** one persons tracking, is another persons staking** will all depend on the judges view point.

I was paying for the cell phone, it was her number, the cell phone bill is in my name only. I never once used the info I found out through phone tracer against her in any way. That was last year and she didn't find out I did that until today. So are you saying that If I knew your email and name and you were a member of phone tracer, it would be OK for me to call them and get all of your info on what numbers you were tracing plus have the girl give me another password for your acct

It was not Ok for a girl on the phone to give out any information just on email address and name. The way most sites work is they will send a new password to the e-mail address listed on the account. They should require much greater proof of identity before giving out info.

As I suggested you should check their privacy policy.

But, to successfully sue them, you will have to show that they violated their policies AND you were damaged in some way. And I don't see how you were materially damaged. Your ex being angry does not constitute material damage. I don't see anything wrong with investigating numbers called from a phone you were paying for, even if it was her line.

How are you "catching hell"?

I won't take sides between two squabbling married people because you both invaded each others space. You violated her privacy, and doesn't matter who pays the bills or carries an account in what name. It was a shared by you both. Any spouse can gain access to the accounts of the spouse just by saying so and I have done it by phone MANY times. Sometimes they ask to verify permission with the other spouse sometimes saying yes they know you are calling on there behalf works just as good.

I think you are upset more that she got a one up on you and is telling everyone you know what a deceitful boob you are. Now if you want to spend the money and years blaming the spy companies, go ahead. You may even win a few bucks but that will pale in the cost of the revenge she will visit on you for YOUR spying actions and invasion of her privacy, though as you have written, bore no fruit that advantaged you.

It's a wash, that YOUR actions started, and escalated in an already volatile situation. You lost any advantage when she found out, and retaliated. Lets be clear, its you who mishandled your own business by leaving a paper trail for anyone to follow, so between spouses she used what she learned to her own advantage. Can you blame her? She did to you what you were going to do for her, but better, and the lesson is once you slap someone, expect to get slapped back.

Please share with us what your lawyer says and the cost of you playing catch up. I think you save the money for the divorce lawyer because no doubt she will slap you again. That's to be expected from a riled up female that you are divorcing after so much separation. HINT, I guess the credit cards are in your name too, as was the bank statements?