Post: Competitor uses false pretense to obtain my personal info

Posted by Lisa on 10/20/06

Hello,

Recently, an unscrupulous business competitor from
California contacted an institution that stores my personal
information, including my "F1 status" and employment
authorization documents. He intentionally misrepresented
himself to the institution as a "potential employer" who
needed to verify my visa status and employment
authorization. He wanted to obtain this private information
in order to somehow get me deported, thus eliminating his
main competitor.

This person is so stupid that he faxed the request to the
institution on his own company's official letterhead. (I
have obtained a copy of the fax directly from the
institution.) He signed and dated it. He included his
personal phone number, with extension. And, of course, his
act of deceptive misrepresentation with malicious intent is
as clear as day in his own writing.

Is what he did illegal? I would certainly hope so. If it IS
illegal, does anyone know the specific law that he
violated? Do I have criminal and/or civil recourse? I'm
just disgusted that he would stoop so low.

Thank you, Lisa in California

Posts on this thread, including this one

Competitor uses false pretense to obtain my personal info, 10/20/06, by Lisa.