So I was walking about in Falkreath and suddenly 3 hired thugs attacked me. Me and Lydia killed them easily. One of the had a "Contract". I soon discovered that Farengar Secret-Fire wants me dead. Is it maybe because I stole the lesser soul gem from his desk? Tell me if something similar happened to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk5SkZ4rvKQ

(In all seriousness, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case. If you steal Alvor's ingots in Riverwood, he sends thugs to attack you)

Stole his lesser soul gem, did you? Guess you deserve it, then!

When that happens, I like to assassinate the person who hired the thugs

I've had Sven's mom Hilde send thugs after me for telling Faendal about the letter (was hoping to get them to fight) and then I told the chick about Faendal's faux letter.

Apparently Sven cant fight is own fight, so Hilde sends thugs after me!! ROFL .

Good idea!

Having thugs come after you is an interesting idea if done right, but like many examples, it's serious overkill for all the more you have to do.

After saving Saadia's freaking life, she sent thugs after me for stealing something and I don't even know what I stole. Couldn't have been anything significant or I would have noticed it. Probably accidentally picked up a coin or something....

You think this action would be excused considering I just saved her behind.

Ever had Sven hire thugs, who then show up in Riverwood and end up killing Sven's mother whilst attempting to kill the target?

Kind of reminds me when I helped kill a dragon that was attacking the orc stronghold. I think one of my spells may have hit one of their goats during the fight, so even though I saved their little village from a dragon, they came at me for bounty over a wounded goat. This was after I'd earned their respect, and become Blood-Kin.

That's not how it happens. Thugs are only sent for stealing (and maybe murdering a relative). And only by the person who had ownership of the items (including successors if the original owner dies).

If Hilde hired thugs, it's because you took something of Hilde's.

I did do that i went and found Evette San, murdered her.
Then I had another group of thugs try to kill me.
I look at who issued the contract.
Ended up being her husband

To be honest, I'm kind of surprised quests don't cause that event when you have to snub people.

Using the early Farengar/Sven quest as an example

"You made the love of my life hate me? No biggie."

"You took my petty soulgem? You [censored]!"

Exact same thing happened to me. I'm not sure how he found out tho, cause it was a 'clean' steal. I killed his hired thugs, he'll be next

Just make sure to guard your knees if one of the thugs is an archer.

Sorry, couldn't resist.