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   June 6, 2009

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   RECUREc - The Online Trust Seal said:
   

   Well, most emails contain personal, and sensitive information. It is illegal, and could cost you alot of money, and you could possibly go to jail.

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   June 6, 2009

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   Ricardo Ricci said:
   

   It depends on what you try to do by hacking email. There are special police departments or officers investigating these things and they would be the ones contacting you if you are discovered as the perpetrator. If the court determines it was a prank, you will probably be fined and charged all court expenses, but then, there are many different state approaches to this matter. Some states are more punitive about hacking email and they will have you serve time in prison and pay the expenses and fines mentioned. Your motives for email hacking could range from a prank to causing a disaster with many victims, or causing someone’s death. I imagine the court would take into consideration the end results, not the offense itself (email hacking).

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   June 6, 2009

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   Anonymous said:
   

   Officially, the secret service would be the investigating agency. If it includes fraud, the FBI would be involved.
   In reality, if anybody even bothered to do anything, it would likely be the local jurisdiction charging you unless you manage to rack up over $10k in “damage.” The federal government does not get involved in minor cases. Two reasons for this, 1. there is limited manpower available. 2. Unless there is a public outcry (kidnapping) or a large amount of money, there is no PR to be gained from their involvement.
   The federal government inposes several well defined and serious charges for computer crimes, there is no distinction made between email accounts and corporate networks, however there is an added set of charges when government or utility systems are involved. Namely, esiponage, terrorism, etc. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, amended in the mid 90’s is the set of legislation covering “hacking.” They can also charge you under RICO statutes if you had accomplices in some cases.
   Not all states have meaningful computer crime legislation. What will end up happening if you actually get arrested is they will scramble to find the closest set of applicable laws, and charge you under them. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your state. An associate of mine was arrested in Florida before they enacted computer crime legislation. He ended up with 42 felonies ranging from uttering a forged instrument to burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. It was kinda spectacular when they arrested him. The Secret Service grabbed him, but couldn’t get enough evidence off of his laptop to pursue Federal charges… So Florida went after him.

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   June 6, 2009

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   No Name said:
   

   Since email hacking is part of 18 U.S.C. § 2701 (Unlawful access to stored communications), it’s a felony punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. Your local PD will pay you a visit and can pick you right up, no need for FBI or secret service. If you’re a minor, punishment might be lighter.