Were I you, I'd drop the "harassment" description and report it as stalking. There's excellent federal and state laws regarding stalking...and if your buddy is continuously contacting your clients (and yourself) against your clients' (and your) wishes, you have a valid criminal complaint.

However, your clients would have to report their own issues themselves, not you. You however can report this abuse to the police as it pertains to what's been personally happening to you.

Remember to keep evidence. Save any email correspondence, phone messages, letters, etc. Take notes on when this person makes contact and what's transpired.

Not only would you have a valid criminal complaint, you'd have a valid slam-dunk civil claim as well (if you can provide the requisite evidence).

When it comes to your ability to earn a living, don't sit back and take it. This person is potentially dangerous and likely a willing saboteur of your business.

By all means take LEGAL action -- don't fall into the trap of getting emotional and going one-on-one with this guy; do that and you've lost!

i would suggest you get some simple legal advice first. harassment is not a cut and dry thing in most cases. i dont know your situation, but your version of him harassing people may sound to him (and possible others) like warning people of something he feels you did wrong.

i am sure not taking anyone side on this, just pointing out that more often than not harassment is not a black and white issue.

also, harassment is a criminal issue. it may be that this person is doind harm to your business, which is possibly more of a civil matter than an actual criminal offense.

i did get into a little bit of this when i had a person with my name do some unscrupulous things. i was contacted at home by some guying making threats to me if i did not pay him the money i owed him. i could not convince him that he had the wrong guy until i filed all sorts of harassment charges against him. it was a real mess and not a fun thinf for either of us.

of course, i am not a lawyer or qualified to give legal advice, so dont take this post as such.

but if i were you, i would talk to a lawyer about the allegations before making too big a stink about things.

Oohh thats a sticky situation right there, if I was your client and it was starting to be a hassle I would not work with you again. Try handling it yourself and contact the authorities or just hack this guy and mess with him back

I'm writing an excellent WSO on this - just kiddin =D

In what country does that person reside?

And can you tell us just exactly he is going about harassing your clients?

Thanks GMD, excellent tips!


And you're right David, normally I'd just ignore it but I'm getting multiple complaints from my clients about him, and that's why I'm considering legal action.


The problem is I'm in Australia, and he's in the USA.

I'll see if I can get contact details from the local police department and at least ask for their policy on this kind of thing.

cheers
Sam

What is the nature of the harassment?

Is he calling your clients to tell them to not do business with you?

Is he calling your clients trying to get them to do business with him?

Are your clients in the U.S. or Australia?

The nature of his harassment will help people give you better and more relevant answers.

Yes, there are several US clients that he has contacted.

The really strange thing is that he is actually a client too and refuses a refund. As much as he tells other people negative stuff, he's not willing to accept a refund on my software. He wants to keep using it personally, and has threatened to badmouth me to his entire list if I refund his sale.

In a really twisted way, it's not a bad testimonial for my software

cheers
Sam

he sounds like a stalker. If you have his full name and date of birth, I would suggest getting a restraining order against that person, and then have his IP address traced and forwarded to the local authorities…

Sam,

I don't have any answers for you, buy damn, I wish you all the best.

Never knew you were in Australia, we'll have to catch up one day

Paul Barrs

Maybe chemo38 can help you. I am just afraid things like restraining orders and contacts to local police departments will be a waste of time, since he lives in a different country than you do.

My gut instinct says that civil lawsuit is going to be your best bet, but I am not an attorney, nor do I pretend to be one online.

Send him this -

poopsenders - the ULTIMATE gag gift - SWEET revenge at its finest

It won't help your legal problems, but it will make you feel better.