Am I wrong to be upset about this?

Question

I post this question in the Greek Section as I hope for advice from the
friendly Posters here, of similar temperament, who may understand my sense of disgust.

For those who do not know me well, I am a tolerant  person, but never
of lies or cheating. (Cut off my arm but never lie to me.)  I know
that forgiveness is required, but I always have to battle with it ...

Three days ago I posted an answer which I composed in its entirety.
It contained personal information about my home, garden, community
and included references to my Family.  There was nothing included
from any outside source.  It was a "green" question in  Garden and
Landscape which indicated a personalized answer.

The next day I saw that my answer had been plagiarized by a "fellow" Poster (nine hours after my answer). The first paragraph had been changed and a couple of "I's" became "we" and a couple of lines  replaced. 

 I had also referred to "petonia", a completely Greek term, and even this was copied.  (As you will realize, only  a Greek or a Corfiot would know what this is, and the Poster's avatar does not give the impression that this is the case).

Subsequently the Asker, who has the Answerer as a Contact, awarded
Best Answer to the Answerer.

I duly reported the copy/paste answer and sent an email to Y. A. including all the above details. 

When I first saw the "other" answer with all the description of my home
and personal information written as someone else's I really felt quite odd, as though there was a gap in my stomach.  It felt like an
intruder had virtually crept in and stolen my identity.  I have had
an answer stolen once before, but this time made me feel quite different.

For those who do not know me, the Best Answer is not an issue--I
have more than enough of those.  I considered deleting my answer,
but did not want to destroy the evidence.  Then I thought, "Why 
should I?" as the anger began to kick in."Let everyone see that this Poster has plagiarized."  Unfortunately, both of our answers now show the same time frame.

Two days have passed, and the stolen answer still stands.

I have not answered anything in any of my Best categories since, I
just have not had the heart ...

Probably, in hind sight, I should not have included personal information.

Am I over-reacting?  How would you feel? What else can I do?

veritas · Accepted Answer

So sorry to hear that. I checked out your that question.. The nerve of these scumbags... How disgusting. Even the avatar makes me nauseous. I've reported them.

It even bothered me when I spent time giving good advice but the asker didn't bother to thumb up and then chose a stupid one-liner as best answer.

Don't ever answer anything from that pariah Indian gang again.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091020030603AAPjAsZ

Airpole. · Answer

Since the word Corfiot crept into your posting and the only one declared Corfiot as far as I know is me, I take your insinuation quite personally. 
Let me therefore assure you that I have not connection to the best of my knowledge directly or indirectly with anything of the answers in question. 
I only answer Questions on the Greek travel section and although I do some gardening (hoeing my home garden, cutting the wild grass) I know the bare minimum of flora in general and what is more of the word you mention.
I would  therefore appreciate if you make clear that your comment has nothing to do with me.
Furthermore, I would appreciate if you could contact me through the mail option of my profile. But I would like to have the opportunity to do the same.

Btw, It would have been a great help if you had included the link to that question so we could access for ourselves the magnitude of the problem. Not that I doubt you. 
Copying your answer can be annoying but just imagine copying your profile what will be. Been there.

Min Mou Tous Kiklon Terate · Answer

OMG !!! SPM...... is that all?  

for a moment there i thoguth u killed a few trolls and burried them in the Y/A garden patch..lol..

 yes ..spm  u are over reacting..but i dotn blame u ..i am very much like u i dont provoc any one i keep to my self and answer all question with my vigor...and share comorodity with all the good users. 

BUT as u can see there are ...A ....holes  in here where they think a good day for them is to sit back and watch  and grab... no better than a purse snatcher...
NOTICE I DIDNT SAY THIEF!...

as a puse snatcher is the lowest among criminals.

at least u calm about it if u see when i get the same treat ment i go off my rocker and give them all expliciptives i dotn spare any thign or any one..specialy as u say when u include ur personal life and experinces ... it not only anoying but down right disrespectfull..and to have some one coem and PLAGARISE UR TEXT is quiet  unexceptable.. and for what 10 points? ...u see wha ti mean by purse snatcher!

itsjustme · Answer

The best thing to do, is name this poster.  Also bear in mind, that there are over 1 million immigrants in this country, and most of these people speak Greek. Many of them hate us. Don't assume it was a Greek.

I didn't quite understand what happened though. Are we talking about a hacker, that changed your actual answer, or someone that copied it, and changed it??

Don't be too bothered though. There are all kinds on YA. I mean look what goes on in this section.

PANDORA Πανδώρα · Answer

Just to let you know that the
offending question has been deleted.

I would just like to add, having got my head around it all,
that you were absolutely right to feel upset and violated.
It is total invasion, not unlike a robber breaking into your home. 
I know exactly how it is to feel that you have been targeted
and abused for no good reason.

@ Airpole,
I am surprised that you have disclosed your personal 'phone
number for all to see!

@ Airpole,
Compelling as I`m sure you must be 
I will pass on this one and wait for Judge Dredd
Thank you!

sagebrush46 · Answer

Contact the plagiarizer and have him read this recent post and let him know that behaving dishonestly will cause him to lose credibility, whereas you have not since you have a proven track record.
Then, realize that all people who are admired are imitated by others. In your case, it's kind of a backhanded compliment. 
Since you are now uncomfortable with sharing too much personal information, don't do it anymore.
Now, continue with your mission to help others through knowledge. That is more important than letting this issue continue to worry you.

Marilyn T · Answer

It is unsettling to relize someone is so bored that they would find the time and energy to mess around with your question.
Hopefully if you gave out personal information, they won't be bothering you.
It is too bad we have to always watch our backs because of strange people everywhere.

Tomato Marouli · Answer

You are not wrong to be upset, and in fact I'm sure that anyone here would be upset if the same thing happened to them.

? · Answer

plagiarism sucks royally indeed...
but come on, its yahoo answers, do you really take it that seriously? find a new hobby

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Am I wrong to be upset about this?

9 Answers