Valentine’s Gift of a Different Sort
This is a story filled with ironies.
A police office in Melville, NY, named Michael Valentine has been indicted which include 21 felony charges including stalking, computer tampering, and aggravated harassment. Police report that he was suspended in mid-February because of the investigation. Happy Valentine’s to Valentine? What’s more mid-February than February 14th?
Apparently, Valentine met a woman on Match.com in November and they dated for about six weeks before the relationship ended. It’s not clear who ended the dating or if it was mutual.
But evidently, Valentine got P. O.‘ed, because he hacked into her Match.com account (which she had closed), re-opened the account and paid the fee, then contacted about 70 men indicating interest. Valentine’s ex knew nothing about the happenings until men started showing up at her home, expecting a date.
According to Match.com, no one can access an individual’s account unless the individual gives out his or her password, or unless the hacker manages to guess it. In this case, the woman had used her dog’s name, which made it easy for Valentine.
The lessons: Even policemen can be dangerous. And pick your password carefully, and then protect it.
From Your Romance Coach, Kathryn Lord
