My question involves defamation in the state of: Texas
I'm very scared & upset. Mostly confused: the police are all telling me different things.
Almost a month ago I had an argument with my (then) boyfriend. He accused me of cheating on him, due to me having a mixed CD in my car. (I only wish I were joking, and in case you're wondering, NO, I have never cheated on him nor ever had the inkling too). He was driving my car with just him & I in it, reached over, grabbed my CD, and broke it into many little pieces. (I have it saved in a ziploc bag). I told him to pull over (breaking something of mine like that sent out red flags). He wouldn't pull over but proceeded to drive back home (we live in the same apartment complex, not in the same unit though). I told him I never wanted to see him again (because I was now afraid of him, and have NEVER in my life been in this kind of situation). He then replied "I'll make your life a living hell". We got home, he pulled over and gets out of the car screaming profanities. No one was around to witness any of this. This was 5:30pm.
The very next morning, I was told by my bank that 8 purchases were made online with my debit card. It was NOT me. They knew this and closed my card for me. The purchases were all made at random websites that you couldn't purchase anything tangible at- just websites such as this one, where you sign up, and use their online service, but you have to pay for it. This happened at 8 different websites all within hours of each other. Within the hour, I then get 40-50 phone calls from local and non-local companies saying I contacted them online through my email (the email address they gave me had my 1st and last name in it, BUT it was not MY account. It was a fake one, with my name on it). All of these companies also had my First and Last name. Phone number. The fake/bogus email address with my name on it, and my home address. Of course I thought it was my now ex boyfriend, as he did say he would make my life a living hell not even 24 hours prior to all of this. I asked all of these companies including the bank when this all took place. They were all within hours of each other on the same day. I was SCARED. Mainly because I knew it had to be my ex, and he lived 20 seconds from me. Very very scary. So, I contacted my leasing office and asked them if I could relocate (like I said, to me this is all a big deal, I've never had to deal with someone that scared me like this before). They said I could not relocate but could file a report with the police. After 3 days I filed a report. I was too scared that if I did, he would try and do something back to me. Even if the law was on my side, I was still scared, it didn't matter!
I filed the report though. Told them everything that happened. It's considered identity fraud I was told. They asked who I thought did this. I told them who, and told them WHY I thought this. I then said I didn't have any proof, but was sure it was my ex. It was too coincidental and not only that, but 3 weeks prior he mentioned to me how he is so smart that he even has my debit card number memorized just from seeing it a few times (I know- weird to tell someone that). He likes to prove how smart he is sometimes, and I ignore it...it's harmless usually. Then weeks later, he says he'll make my life a living hell, and not even 24 hours after that, the same debit card is used on 8 different websites. And all the phone calls. I knew it had to be him.
The police report was filed. 3 weeks later (being today), I get a phone call from him saying the cops just came to his house and said I accused him of identity theft. He then said he had spoken to the Sergeant and is going to "take it even further than what I did...." and get me "for libel". He said the Sergeant told him to call me and notify me of that and to tell me to not contact him back.
I knew I did nothing wrong but protect myself, and if I had caught him in the act to begin with & wasn't scared, I wouldn't have asked the police to get involved to catch the criminal. I didn't care who it was, I just wanted them to not get away with it! But, yes, I honestly thought it was him. And still think so.
I called the police department and told them he said he was going to get me for libel. I thought surely he was saying it to scare me. Well, the police said he CAN get me for libel IF I said I thought he did it in the report, just to be malicious. I don't understand. I wanted it to stop and the person to get caught and YES, get in trouble for it. So, my question is, CAN I get sued or get in trouble for this? I can't believe this is happening when all I was dong was trying to protect myself. I have a very clean record and my whole life have been the "good/boring girl" JUST to stay out of trouble with the law. And now...this....and maybe to some it's silly and not a big deal. But to me this is huge. And I'm afraid that by trying to protect myself, I screwed myself over.
Can I get in trouble if they find out it was someone else (I honestly do not see how it could have been ANYONE else though)? Or if they can't find the person who did it? What steps do I need to take? When I call the police department, they tell me different things each time. I can't affords a lawyer, or I would already have one and not be here.
Sorry for the length of this, I didn't want to leave anything important out. Any help at all is greatly appreciated. Please.
Thank you.![]()

