Phone Harassment: Tracing a Text

[Jamesk48]

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Someone has used a website such as (mod edit: it is not necessary to post a link to a "spoofing" site) to send a text message from my cell phone to someone else. Although it was only a single text message, it has caused irreparable damage to my life. I would like to get the authorities involved, but only if
A) a single text is enough for police to get involved.
B) it is possible to trace (or subpoena) the source number of a fake text message.

My question is: Is it possible for authorities, once a complaint has been filed, to trace a "spoofed" TEXT message. This is not an anonymous phone call. It is a text message sent to someone else using my phone number.

Any information would help, and I thank you for your time.

[txinvestigator1]

In my state one text, especially sent to someone other than you, does not generally constitute an offense. Do you care to post the nature of the text?

[retdetsgt]

Have you talked to your phone service provider?

[Legoate]

I'm not sure how this would ever be criminal- of course your description of what they person did is so vague as to be totally useless in forming an opinion. But my guess is no, the police will not get involved in this.

[Samuel]

what exactly is "irreparable damage to [your] life"?

[Kimble]

what exactly is "irreparable damage to [your] life"?

Ditto! I'd suggest finding some sort of purpose in life if a single text message has you this undone.

[TEXASCOP]

Maybe tell/show the person that received the message it was not you. Or did the text reveal something that got you caught? With out further information, I would have to say it does not appear you have a criminal offense.

[icu650]

I think this is pretty fascinating how someone can screw your life up by using this spoofing site. I have looked up this site and it is amazing what people can do to "joke" around with a friend or really hurt someone else maliciously. I am not even going to mention the name of the spoof site but from what I have researched so far is that using the services of this site in not illegal in most states.

What can become illegal is if the person uses this service to maliciously slander, or financially hurt another or otherwise damage another person in some way. I have found one arrest so far where a person by using this site was able to get into the other persons phone messages and delete some. He also found away to eavesdrop and record. He supposedly plead guilty to eavesdropping. Since this site is apparently used quite often I imagine problems like yours are on the rise. If this person maliciously damaged your reputation of hurt you financially I think you should consider a private detective and a appropriate civil suit. You need to run this buy an attorney who will take the time to look up case precedent on this and how this "spoof" outfit works to be able to conduct an adequate private investigation.

Since I don't know details of your case, at this point, I don't think the police will help in an apparent civil matter.