Expert: Dan Pepper - 10/9/2008

Question
Hi Dan.  This is a little convoluted, but here goes.  My ex-boyfriend did not know my Yahoo password (I don't think), but he did (I think) know my reset question and answer.  The last time I tried to log in, it told me my password was incorrect.  I use a few different ones for different e-mail accounts, but was pretty darn sure the one I was using was correct.  I went through changing it and my security question was the same so I was able to change it again (and now I've got a new password AND security question and answer).

Is there a way to find out if someone changed my password?  There wasn't a message from Yahoo saying it had been changed, but I am 99.99999% sure it was, so would they have a history of that?  Or is there some other way I could find out?  If I find out he did, what can I do about it.  I live in GA if that helps.

Thank you much,

Jamie

Answer
Jamie,

Unfortunately without a subpoena or court order, you will have a difficult time having Yahoo divulge its records showing IP addresses accessing your account.  (These are used to trace computer locations.)

Unless your ex caused some sort of damage or committed some form of crime by accessing your email, there isn't a lot you can do about it from a legal perspective.  This may be one of those things you chalk up as a bad experience and take more care in the future.