tracing isp by company/blackmail

lizzy629lizzy629
edited December 2005 in Science & Tech
Hi, I recently made a really stupid mistake and ordered an essay online,paid for it immediately, slept on it and then decided I didn't want to go that route in school. I am a terrible person. I emailed them the next day requesting the order to be cancelled. no response, never received the paper, called the credit card company to dispute. Now the company is threatening to and I quote," We will also use your IP address (69.91.24.71)
to trace and inform your academic institution and/or place of employment of this
matter. "

Can they do that????? I know what I did sounds terrible, please don't pass judgement on me for that, but I swear, I would not have disputed it if they had done their job. If I have to I will go to the school and talk to the dean myself, this is the first time I've ever done anything like that, but does it give them the right to ruin my school career over a bad judgement call on my part and 29.99 on their part.

I am a single mom of two kids, trying to go to school fulltime and working odd jobs. 29.99 is a lot of money to me.

Please someone help.

Thank you in advance.

Lizzy :bawling:

Comments

  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited December 2005
    That IP address just resolves to a Mindspring user DNS. Now the ONLY way they can work out who you are from that is to contact the ISP with the IP and time and ask who that user was. Thing is, they (as a third-party company) have no right in that field as ISP's wont give out information like that to anyone other than law-enforcement such as FBI, etc and they'd need to get a subpoena/warrant for it if the ISP refused.

    So, unless they ARE law enforcement or are acting on behalf of them, there isn't really anything they can do, although you gave your Credit Card details, which kinda leaves you a bit open as that gives name, address, etc etc.

    I'm not really an authority on this though.
  • Nickboxer7Nickboxer7 KC,MO
    edited December 2005
    Yeah, I don't think they have the right to inform your school of your purchase. I think that would be giving out too much information. Anyway, how can they get you in trouble when you didn't even turn in the paper? There is no way they can prove that you were going to turn in that paper to that school. Maybe you just wanted to read a good essay.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited December 2005
    I would imagine since the semester is already over, what action that would take take place has already happened.

    No, I don't think you are a "bad person". The fact is, you changed your mind, and decided not to cheat. Formulating a bad choice and acting on a bad choice are two different things. You should be proud of yourself.

    For the sake of argument, even if those sheisters (dirtbags) at the online sewer were able to contact your dean, it would be nearly meaningless. The college would care what you did in fact, not what you had considered doing. What you in fact did was write your own essay.

    Every one of us is tempted to do wrong things. It is good character that prevents one from doing wrong things.
    So, unless they ARE law enforcement or are acting on behalf of them, there isn't really anything they can do
    Trust me on this. Law enforcement will not take action concerning cheating or intent to cheat at any level of education. That is not a crime, but rather an administrative and moral issue. Making false official statements, such as lying on a government application, tax form, or other similar matter, is another story.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited December 2005
    Contact the credit card company to get a chargeback on the money too else they get away with theft.
Sign In or Register to comment.