Ask HN: How to get a company to remove my email from an account

  • Just create a rule in Gmail that skips your inbox and immediately deletes the email from that particular domain. You won't be notified and you don't have to worry about accessing someone else's private data.

  • I think it is more common that you may think. Happens to me as well and after a while, I gave up. Most of the times, it is a variant of my name but somehow the email comes to me. One time, I found the phone number of the guy and called him directly. He apologized and fixed the email. But then it happened with someone else and then someone else. I keep an eye to ensure there is no fraud but it is just incompetence and now I get a chuckle getting a grocery list or emails about their recent purchase experience.

  • Reset the password and take over the account. A little mean, I guess, but it seems like the other person has had plenty of opportunity to fix the issue.

  • A certified postal letter requiring removal of the email address sent to the legal address of the company starts an evidence trail. Companies usually get the message and take action. If that doesn't work, the next step is probably to consult an attorney.

  • Adding email address without verification by its owner should be illegal.

    If you are in EU, you might try invoking "Right to rectification" as described in GDPR. Although company might ask you for identification and you'll be back to square one. Look up CAN-SPAM if you are in US, as those messages can be considered as "Unwanted Commercial Electronic Mail". But again, no guarantees that company will comply.

    Best solution is to add unwanted senders to block list.

  • Shouldn't their support care about the customer's personal info being shared with you?

    For maximum effect, if those events are real life, show up there looking for MyName and tell him/her about all the info you have on them... Or I wonder if the event organizer would be able to pass on a note. Or if there's a postal address/phone number you can use to notify them

  • I like a sibling comment that suggested a certified letter. You can also reach out to their security team and let them know they are actively sending private information to unintended recipients. Legal and/or security is a good starting point.

  • I just mark as spam.

    I like the abuse@domain.tld idea though. I would try that first in your case.

  • Send an email to abuse@website.com and let them sort it out. This approach has always worked for me.