When The Internet Gets Scary

The other day I had messages from people telling me that a woman was using my children's photos on her Facebook page.

I received this photo as proof. She had taken the photo I had shared of my kids at Bass Pro Shop claiming it as her own:

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time it has happened. People on eBay love to use Natalie's photo when they are selling stuff. Some people suggest using a watermark, and I might start doing that, but the super sneaky people know how to get rid of it.

This woman had me blocked, so I was unable to report her. I told my Facebook friends what was happening and was grateful when many of them began reporting her. Some even sent her messages asking what she was doing.

Apparently she was saying my kids were "Kia" and "Michael" and that they were her niece and nephew.

A few people realized they had Facebook friends who were friends with her, so they got in contact with them. This woman has a long history of lying, from what I was told.

Another friend found her e-mail address and passed it onto me. (She has a Sitter City account and I'm no expert, but someone who lies and steals photos probably shouldn't be watching other people's children..) I asked the woman to stop lying and to take down my children's photos. Yes, I did mention my husband was military police and knew other police officers who could make her life unpleasant if she didn't stop.

She replied with this.

She must've been reading the messages people were sending and she began taking down my children's photos. Some people who could get on her page stated that they began getting messages like this when they tried to click on my children's photos:

(As you can see, she stole their Halloween photos too.)

It's creepy. I don't know this woman. Unfortunately social media makes it easy for people to steal other people's stuff. Photos. Writing. Identities. I've seen enough episodes of Catfish to know how simple it is to become someone else.

So everyone please take caution. I'll be checking my photos often in Google Search to ensure someone else isn't using them. I suggest you do the same.

And I want to thank everyone who came forward to let me know what was going on. It was a frightening situation, yes, but it helps to know that I have fantastic friends--many who I've never even met--and they are willing to look out for my family and I.

You are appreciated.

Thank you.