Author Archives: Jim Lamm

Planning Ahead for Access to Contents of a Decedent’s Online Accounts

February 1 was informally designated as “Change Your Password Day,” and a good collection of articles is available at Lifehacker.com about how to test the strength of your passwords, how to update your passwords with “strong” passwords, and a list … Continue reading

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Zappos.com Customer Account Information Compromised

On January 15, 2012, Zappos.com announced that their customer account information may have been compromised, including customer names, e–mail addresses, billing and shipping addresses, and phone numbers. CNN reports that this affects 24 million Zappos.com customers. Fortunately, Zappos.com announced that customer … Continue reading

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Unique Virtual Sword Sells for $16,000 in Age of Wulin Video Game

I’ve written before about estate planning and charitable giving with video games and virtual worlds. Here’s another example of how valuable digital property can be—including virtual items in video games. In December 2011, the developers of the video game Age … Continue reading

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Connecticut Court Requires Spouses to Reveal Online Account Passwords in Divorce Proceeding

On November 7, 2011, Kashmir Hill on Forbes.com reported that a Connecticut court ordered Stephen and Courtney Gallion, spouses in a divorce proceeding, to reveal and exchange their online account passwords, including their passwords to Facebook, eHarmony, and Match.com. According to … Continue reading

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How to Delete Online Accounts and Digital Footprints

On November 10, 2011, Jeffrey A. Lambert posted a story at Maximum PC called How to Erase Your Digital Footprint. The article describes how much information Facebook, Google, and other companies collect about your Web browsing and other Internet activities, especially … Continue reading

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IRS Chief Counsel Advises IRS Agent Not to Request Taxpayer E-Mail Contents From ISP

In IRS Chief Counsel Advice 201141017, an IRS agent tried to obtain a taxpayer’s e–mail contents from the taxpayer’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) without a warrant. The taxpayer’s ISP refused the IRS agent’s request, citing provisions of the Stored Communications … Continue reading

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October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month! For tips about creating strong passwords, backing up your data, Internet safety and security, social networking privacy and security settings, and more, visit: StaySafeOnline.org. Tip sheets and other resources are available on their … Continue reading

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Importance of Preserving “Electronic Evidence” During Incapacity or After Death

Recently, four potential heirs were found guilty of conspiracy to murder, based on evidence of Google searches for “easiest way to kill an old person,” “poisonous toadstools,” and “1,000 ways to die,” followed by an attack carried out on their … Continue reading

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Protecting Privacy of Customer Personal Information in Borders Bankruptcy Asset Sales

As part of the Borders bankruptcy proceeding, Barnes & Noble offered to purchase the “consumer personal information” of Borders, including over 20 million customers’ online account information, e–mail addresses, and purchase history. However, Borders had a privacy policy that stated customer … Continue reading

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