Using last.fm to catch a thief -- not possible, right?

Danny Don't Rapp · **Joined:** Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:20 pm **Posts:** 1530

*I posted this on another forum already, but I'd like to get as many opinions as possible. Anyway...

While I was on a roadtrip around the country a few weeks ago, my car got broken into and my laptop was stolen. I just noticed that the thief has been listening to a bunch of my music though -- it's been scrobbled on last.fm. There wouldn't be any way to track where this is coming from, right? Using an IP address or something? I don't know anything about computers and I have a feeling this is impossible, but I figured it was worth a shot.

Thee Incident · **Posted:** Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:57 pm

I'm not being an asshole when I say this, but I'm pretty sure someone (Dale, maybe?) had this same question a while back.

It might take some searching, but it's out there in the ether. Good luck.

hey look · **Posted:** Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:57 pm

doubtful

http://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.ph ... hief+usher

saint · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:28 pm **Posts:** 4271

if you interact with last.fm, perhaps they could help you? especially if you could back this up with a subpoena. do you know anyone in law enforcement?

mugwump67 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:24 pm

Saint Wrote:

if you interact with last.fm, perhaps they could help you? especially if you could back this up with a subpoena. do you know anyone in law enforcement?

I'm sure they'd be able to provide assistance with the correct paperwork. Only issue is whether they capture ip addresses, but I'll bet that they do in order to prevent server abuse, etc.

Last.fm as lojack is pretty cool. I'd be surprised if many theives understood enough about it to turn scrobbling off.

ptrck · **Joined:** Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:55 pm **Posts:** 5568

yean that hpn thread was classic

timmyjoe42 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:27 pm

http://www.last.fm/forum/21713/_/519574/1#f9033309

saint · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:28 pm **Posts:** 4271

Danny Don't Rapp Wrote:

*I posted this on another forum already, but I'd like to get as many opinions as possible. Anyway...

While I was on a roadtrip around the country a few weeks ago, my car got broken into and my laptop was stolen. I just noticed that the thief has been listening to a bunch of my music though -- it's been scrobbled on last.fm. There wouldn't be any way to track where this is coming from, right? Using an IP address or something? I don't know anything about computers and I have a feeling this is impossible, but I figured it was worth a shot.

man, check out the link timmyjoe posted. they will help if you get the police involved. good luck.

Mick · **Posted:** Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:57 pm

It's possible, but when my laptop got stolen the cops were too lazy/dumb to figure out how to do it.

I got a new one on insurance but lost a tonne of important files.

south pacific · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:40 am

shoulda went to Africa this year

Dalen · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:25 pm

yeah, i posted the hipinion thread.

Danny Don't Rapp · **Joined:** Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:20 pm **Posts:** 1530

south pacific Wrote:

shoulda went to Africa this year

I actually am going in less than two weeks. The guy hasn't listened to anything on my computer since August 2, but he listened to shit on my girlfriend's computer yesterday, so I'll keep an eye on it.

timmyjoe42 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:19 pm

He stole both of your computers?

Edit: and it might not even be the thief. He probably sold them off to someone who doesn't realize it.

Thee Incident · **Posted:** Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:46 pm

Danny Don't Rapp Wrote:

south pacific Wrote:

shoulda went to Africa this year

I actually am going in less than two weeks. The guy hasn't listened to anything on my computer since August 2, but he listened to shit on my girlfriend's computer yesterday, so I'll keep an eye on it.

DDR, check your PMs

Using last.fm to catch a thief -- not possible, right?

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