What is considered harrasment?

1. 0

   sandra rinckposted 13 years ago

   After writing the hub about pre-paid legal being a fraud, the people associated with them and those I was in direct contact with are not being very nice.
   
   I updated the hub with a copy of the email they sent me after requesting to cancel.
   
   What can I do about this?

   replyreport
   1. 61

      tantrumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What did you expect ?  Of course they wouldn't be nice to you. If they're not too nasty, leave as it is. If not,talk to your lawyer.

      replyreport
      1. 79

         starme77posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         they are lawyers at prepaid legal so not alot you can do

         replyreport
   2. 69

      darksideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I skimmed through the hub. A shame you didn't put that much effort into checking out the operation before signing up! But what's done is done. Be sure to do the same before embarking on any other business opportunities.
      
      Tantrum makes a good point, but if this PPLSI are up to their necks in what you've outlined in your hub, well I don't think they'll have the time to sue you.
      
      I'm curious though, which bit are you referring to as being harassment?

      replyreport
      1. 0

         sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         The part that says that I am poison to everyone I come in contact with.

         replyreport
         1. 83

            jiberishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            This does not look like a cease and desist request, but more like an internal memo/e-mail.

            replyreport
         2. 69

            darksideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            That's just a little bit of name calling. You couldn't possibly have a case for harassment based on that alone.

            replyreport
   3. 52

      EMMORECHEMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Talk to your lawyer!
      

      replyreport
   4. 52

      EMMORECHEMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Talk to your lawyer!
      

      replyreport
   5. 52

      EMMORECHEMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Talk to your lawyer!
      

      replyreport
2. 0

   sandra rinckposted 13 years ago

   
   
   Is this considered too nasty?

   replyreport
   1. 61

      tantrumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Did you had prove of the fraud ?If not they can sue you

      replyreport
      1. 68

         Michael Willisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Sandra. I just read your hub about this. Tantrum speaks volumes when you are asked if you have proof. Protect yourself! If they are real lawyers they may try to come after you. Just because they have not gotten an injunction against your hub,( to have it taken down) does not mean they won't use it against you later.
         Just be careful. And I would suggest letting a lawyer see what you have written and get their professional opinion on this.
         
         Good luck!

         replyreport
      2. 0

         sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Besides being a witness to what was going on... all the information was collected through credible sources, expert witnesses from previous court hearings in pyramid scam cases, news reports, prepaid legal sources etc...
         
         So, yes.  And all links to the sources are contained within the hub for everyone to see.

         replyreport
         1. 61

            tantrumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            then forget it. But I will advice you not to write hubs about other people's frauds. some can be really dangerous.

            replyreport
         2. 0

            Star Witnessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            You should be fine, as long as what you say is backed by credible sources, and you attributed everything properly.
            
            And yes, they are attempting to harass you.  But at this point, you don't have a case or enough evidence for any kind of case to succeed or any action to be taken.

            replyreport
3. 62

   Dale Mazurekposted 13 years ago

   I really wouldnt worry about it Sandra.  They know you have exposed them and they are angry.
   
   In all honesty we need more people like you to help save people from scams such as this.
   
   I get at least an email a week from so called gurus because they are angry that I tell people they dont need to buy most of the garbage the gurus claim to be the next best thing.
   
   Just dont worry about it.  you are a wonderful person for bringing this to everyones attention.
   
   BTW,  it was a greatly written hub

   replyreport
4. 0

   Aquaposted 13 years ago

   I think the email you received pretty much speaks volumes. I wouldn't want to be associated with a company who operates that unprofessionally, not to mention all the other apparent things going on.
   
   Isn't this company related to all the "Blast Off" affiliate stuff everyone is promoting?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, but it is my understanding that blastoff is a separate entity with a contract with ppl to have their associates links placed in the "Mall" section of the page with the added benefit of a 20 degree outsource rather the 10.
      
      But I could be wrong on this one too.

      replyreport
5. 0

   Star Witnessposted 13 years ago

   Hey Sandra:
   
   Basically, at this point in the history of internet law in this country, nothing can be done about what they are doing unless you can prove damages.  And a persistent pattern.
   
   Anyway, litigiousness sometimes is harder on the initiator than the object.  I would just ignore them...delete their e-mails.  They are resorting to harassment because they have no other legal way of getting to you, if what you are saying is correct.  You should be cautious, however, that they don't find a way to approach YOU legally for defamation.
   
   Of course, I'm not a lawyer...and this, lol, , is just general advice based on research.  You might want to talk to a lawyer.

   replyreport
6. 91

   habeeposted 13 years ago

   Good for you, Sandra!

   replyreport
7. 85

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   And I would suggest letting a lawyer see what you have written and get their professional opinion on this.
   
   
   
   I agree with tantrum's advice. any of this stuff that sounds too easy is generally a scam. they're everywhere. 'pyramid' anything is going to be questionable, and thousands get pulled into it every day. good luck.

   replyreport
8. 63

   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   When the state of Virginia every other month keeps sending me letters demanding I pay them $200K plus with interest in taxes, despite of the fact that everything has been properly filed and paid long ago, this is harassment.

   replyreport
9. 72

   Paradise7posted 13 years ago

   I really wouldn't worry about it.  Blow it off.  They can't hurt you in any material way.  If they set up a barrage of emails, or something that actively interferes with you, that's different, but one email with some name-calling is a "frivolous" basis for a lawsuit and you might risk being counter-sued, for bringing a frivolous lawsuit.
   
   I think the best advice, and fellow hubbers seem to agree with me, is, ignore it.
   
   You've done a good job waking everyone up to this scam within the reach of your hub, and of course the scammers are PO'd.  It just means you did a good job.  Take it as a back-handed compliment!  And sleep well, you've earned it.
   
   

   replyreport
10. 0

    sandra rinckposted 13 years ago

    Okay, thanks all. 
    
    I will blow it off and see if I can find a lawyer to at least look at it and tell me if I have stepped out of line.
    
    

    replyreport
    1. 85

       rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I don't think you have stepped out of line, a lawyer may just reassure you and give some advice. rest easy Sandra.

       replyreport
11. 80

    Sufidreamerposted 13 years ago

    Can't see them doing anything more than threaten you, Sandra - they really do not want the publicity or they would not be leaving snide comments on your Hub.
    
    At the end of the day, you know a few journalists who live outside US jurisdiction - I am sure that if things get nasty, some of them would nobly volunteer to publicise your cause.

    replyreport
12. 61

    RedSonja94posted 13 years ago

    I think the best course is to just ignore them.  They are ticked off because you laid bare thier shortcomings.  That's life.  Most ppl like this would resort to name calling and petty crap if you called them out so just ignore it.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       cosetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       i concur!
       
       this is kind of similar (maybe)...a few years ago i got a domain name and account from a company who shall remain nameless, but it was so impossible to set up after they told me how EASY it would be and how i would have EVERYTHING I NEEDED to launch my own domain, it turned out that i had to buy those tools...i never used the account but even so, they spammed me for a whole year. i had elected the manual renewal option but they sent me emails saying they were going to automatically renew my domain and charge my credit card without my permission but fortunately their timing was off as my credit card expired then and i was issued a new one...they harrassed me asking for my new credit card expiration date etc. and i wouldn't give it to them. i asked them to close my account. they said you can do that yourself online but when i tried to it wouldn't let me, saying my account needed to be renewed first (?). when i called several times, they were always really rude and aggressive and argumentative, but i pressed on until they finally closed it, and i never used them again and tell all my friends not to use them.
       
       sorry you are going through this - i know how frustrating that can feel dealing with people like that. i do have to say, i read an article in the paper the other day about bloggers and when they write about an unsatisfying experience, even if it is true, they can get sued. i'm glad you're consulting a lawyer. most of them will give you your initial consultation free...i consulted one for another matter and that visit was free and i talked to a real lawyer not an aide and i was quite satisfied with the whole thing because he gave me some great advice and set my mind to rest. (plus he was really cute
       
       good luck! you're pretty brave, i have to say!

       replyreport
13. 59

    Jane@CMposted 13 years ago

    If you do a google search on prepaid legal they are in a lot of trouble.  They've had several Class Action lawsuits filed.  Super huge MLM scam.  Sorry hon!

    replyreport