# How is it possible to re-register a name in use?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-re-register-a-name-in-use/24093>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [June 29, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-re-register-a-name-in-use/24093 "2000-06-29T23:42:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![schimmel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@schimmel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schimmel)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-re-register-a-name-in-use/24093/1 "2000-06-29T23:42:12Z")

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Sorry if this is a stupid question, and sorry too if this has already been dealt with (please throw me a thread reference if it has), but how come it’s possible to register under a name that’s already in use by someone else? The e-mail companies manage not to let people double up - couldn’t you use the same technique to squash the impostor outbreak?

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**Author:** ![schimmel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@schimmel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schimmel)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-re-register-a-name-in-use/24093/2 "2000-06-29T23:43:28Z")

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I meant to add:

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**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-re-register-a-name-in-use/24093/3 "2000-06-29T23:51:05Z")

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Actually we’d rather not answer that question. We’d also prefer the members who’ve figured it out not answer that question either. There’s no gain in pointing out security flaws. Suffice it to say, a solution is being pursued.

I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, but Tuba and Lynn would pull my fingers off, one by one.

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**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-re-register-a-name-in-use/24093/4 "2000-06-30T02:11:31Z")

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Naah. But we would beat you up and take your beer.

your humble TubaDiva