I am being harassed via email

[XSNRGGST]

I recently recieved an email from a "friend" saying some pretty hurtful things about my family. It is a pretty serious topic. This person first called me at work and asked if I recieved his email. I hadn't as I was at work. He said he would send it again as it "is stuff I should know". He wouldn't really give me any more information. Very vague.

During the phone call, he asked if my email was still the same, *******@yahoo.com. I said yes, as I was still not sure what he was talking about. I thought it was a person replying to a Craigslist add.


I recieved three emails total, two being the exact same and the last one had an attachment that I am afraid to download and open for obvious security reasons. It is an HTML document. Can I scan this and open it? Should I just leave it alone? I want to see what it is.

Also, the email was addressed to my current email, and one other I had about 8-9 years ago. What is getting me is how did they get this OLD email address? If they know my first and last name, how can they find this kind of information? Are there websites that give out or contain this kind of information?

What can I do about this? I want to persue this legally and put a stop to this.

EDIT and response:

First, no, I do not know this person. Second, this is much more than just saying some hurtful words, taunting, or name calling. They are trying to ruin my life with lies and deception. I don't want to go into specifics, but they are definately trying to get me to react negatively towards people I love. This is a VERY serious matter. Actions like this could affect lives and families.

I did not respond to this email at all.

I used my phone to open the attachment and it was just another copy of the email. Is that weird? I am not worried about a virus for my phone, but could it have had a virus attached? I don't understand why they would do this, especially if I already received the message in the original email.

Finally, how do I "run a reverse phone or reverse email to find out who exactly is doing this."

ROADRUNNER- How do you do this? The email is from a verified Yahoo address according to Yahoo Domain Keys.

 

[boosted spartan]

dont kill yourself over this buddy...its only words....ok pal! we are here to support you.

 

[rossb]

forward the attachment to me if you want, I'll open it and tell you what it is. My Ubuntu can take what ever he's trying to give you. But unless you know who he is and he has made DIRECT threats your SOL on taking this to the police.

 

[bling5tatus]

wow, another Ubuntu user. I am rather proficient in Linux myself. You know I love having a virtual windows environment just for this purpose. You cannot fubar it.

To the Op, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you can find out exactly who it is. If you can find out you can probably press harassment charges.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

X2 on the email to me. I have a MAC, viruses coded for Windows won't run properly (if at all) on MACs.

just PM me. Other then that, I would just delete them and ignore the f*cker that called me. If he persists I'm sure a call to your local PD will shut him up, if not a restraining order. If he still persists, sue him for harassment.

 

[gsxtreme1987]

So you know who he is ?

 

[roadrunner2176]

I wouldn't be too concerned about this. If it bothers you, you could always run a reverse phone or reverse email to find out who exactly is doing this. Otherwise, block the email address and move on.

 

[EDM95]

I say show the police, that way if any thing happens you already reported.

 

[speedyz2]

I say show the police, that way if any thing happens you already reported.

I'd have to agree here. This way the PD will already have a record of what has been happening in case this escalates anymore.

 

[Defiant]

Sticks and stones. And closer to a "relationship" thread than anything to do with cars.