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Buisness Slander (?death threats?)

Marketing, social media, advertising

sparechange

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So today was one of the most bizarre days of my life, I'll start off by saying I'm almost on a first name basis with my local police force, actually I think the whole squad knows me by now :rofl: from some marketing videos that I've done for my social media pages, some higher government officials know of me and some organizations are talking of me aswell. All great and dandy, multiple people (I don't even know) have thanked me for my work blah blah blah.

Although today really broke my heart, as I was doing one of my marketing campaigns I was surrounded by 4 random strangers never seen before in my life thinking they are going to just say hi or ask me about my gig.

It quickly went downhill and some accusations were tossed around of my organization and some derogatory statements were hurled my way, while spare change has faced tons of problems in the past, this one was super super bad, and actually some false rumors are apparently being spread around my business and of course bad news can spread quite quickly on Facebook and whatnot. (look at things being said about Trump, Trudeau or whoever really, heck even MJ has some haters about his book) Oddly enough I have had no negative interactions (in the social media world my pages and such) but have some potential safety issues in regards to my life....possibly.

So I dno, part of me is thinking to stop my marketing campaigns because of association of such false statements although it gets me a hell of a lot of views, on the other hand I've literally came home to read comments on social media where yes some tears have been shed for thanks and tributes towards me. It's a bit conflicting, death threats on one end, praise on the other, yeh...

I'll head to the cop shop tomorrow and try to figure something out.......

Has anyone dealt with this before? I get having people that dislike your thing is a normal, although facing death threats and slander towards my buisness is a totally different game I have never played before in my life. Atleast it makes for a great story one day, but jesus christ if I get stabbed in the middle of the street one day that's kind of a problem.
 
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sparechange

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I've still yet to find anything negative about my biz online though which is driving me absolutely ***** insane right now.

The dudes that surrounded me were saying there is stuff allover about me online but am yet to discover anything!? Unless it's just circulating on private social media pages?!?

Nothing on redditt or fb.


*edit* after some thinking I think I'll alter my marketing methods, to avoid association with my current strategy.
 
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Dwight Schrute

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Those strangers, did they give you reasons for their hatred? Or is your work just considered offensive by some doofus who's easily offended(common these days, unfortunately)?
 
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sparechange

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Those strangers, did they give you reasons for their hatred? Or is your work just considered offensive by some doofus who's easily offended?

Kind of just a big misunderstanding on their part, they are assuming I'm some sort of criminal (been doing some reporting on crime in my area) but as I tried to explain whilst inviting them to visit the local police department with me they got in their car and drove off while some other random person filmed me.

It's not exactly great publicity to be labeled as some sort of dangerous person so it's a bit worrisome.

Not sure if police can track them down or not gonna try tomorrow as I got a picture of half the plate and of course know the car model.
 
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Dwight Schrute

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Kind of just a big misunderstanding on their part, they are assuming I'm some sort of criminal (been doing some reporting on crime in my area) but as I tried to explain whilst inviting them to visit the local police department with me they got in their car and drove off while some other random person filmed me.

It's not exactly great publicity to be labeled as some sort of dangerous person so it's a bit worrisome.

Not sure if police can track them down or not gonna try tomorrow as I got a picture of half the plate and of course know the car model.
I never had to deal with a situation like this, but maybe you can weave the information they provided you into your campaigns to address any issues before they come up in the mind of your future viewers.

Remember: "This too shall pass."

Good luck!
 

sparechange

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I never had to deal with a situation like this, but maybe you can weave the information they provided you into your campaigns to address any issues before they come up in the mind of your future viewers.

Remember: "This too shall pass."

Good luck!

Well it's one of my concerns of future viewers, I have no idea how many people have interacted with this group of people (news spreads like wildfire)

My last marketing gig has been weeks ago, don't even remember actually, so for someone I've never seen in my life know about my work from long ago is quite nuts. Pretty scary to have a bunch of random people surround you, what if I got stabbed or something!?!? At least people don't have guns in Canada :clench:

Just a few days ago I had a positive reaction which still blows my mind how they even knew who I was.........
 

sparechange

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Deleted some of my stuff, better say than sorry I guess
 
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sparechange

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sparechange

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Did your marketing involve the police or race related issues?

Nothing about police or race, been on the fence of advertising with police as there is a general hatred throughout the globe for the law.

I've just documented some issues in my city (tons of crime down here)
 

minivanman

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Nothing about police or race, been on the fence of advertising with police as there is a general hatred throughout the globe for the law.

I've just documented some issues in my city (tons of crime down here)

Personally, if my goal is to document issues in my city, these guys can bet that when I wake up..... they are next on my list. I have thought about doing something like what you are doing but it just seems so time consuming. But I've wanted to do something like what you are doing my whole life. Good luck and remember to enjoy your life. If this gets to where you are worrying and looking over your shoulder, it might not be for you.

Signed,
Casey
Crime Photographer

(This is one of the old radio shows I'm currently listening to on OTR Streamer)
 

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When someone pushes, you don't just crumble. Not if you care about the business you're doing. Those guys were testing you for weakness. If your videos are about exposing crime, then chances are those were criminals. You probably had an effect on their ability to do crime... isn't that what you want? Or am I misunderstanding? Surely challenging criminals would have a result like this.

Get a stick-proof undershirt, or take other measures if safety is an issue. Hire a bodyguard, seriously. But if marketing your project is important, don't let some low crime bozos scare you off your path. That would be them winning.
 
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Sethamus

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but jesus christ if I get stabbed in the middle of the street one day that's kind of a problem
While you think getting stabbed is better than getting shot, if these guys are willing to stab you what makes you think they wouldn't shoot you with an illegal gun? Even if you carried a hidden knife for your own protection, 4-1 is crappy odds. Which is why I love my gun rights and the fact that no one would know if I have my legal concealed carry on me to use as a last resort.
 

sparechange

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While you think getting stabbed is better than getting shot, if these guys are willing to stab you what makes you think they wouldn't shoot you with an illegal gun? Even if you carried a hidden knife for your own protection, 4-1 is crappy odds. Which is why I love my gun rights and the fact that no one would know if I have my legal concealed carry on me to use as a last resort.

I'd love to have a gun although carrying in Canada is illegal, even having pepper spray is a criminal offense, self defense laws are totally different here. Having a knife is illegal to if concealed... :cool:
 

Sethamus

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@sparechange reminds me when I was in Sydney. A couple warned me about having my knife in my pocket. Pretty much said the cops would beat my a$$ if they saw it and was surprised they let me in the country with it (they did make me pull it out of my bag at the airport and prove it was manual open).
The girl said it must have been my American charm. Never got that compliment before the LOL.
 
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AlfaStream

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Arm yourself accordingly; This is especially true in the USA.

Coercion is generally nothing to be scared of.

In terms of some businesses; I'd emulate; stay quiet about the interaction, contact the police.

Dont give a shit what other people think to the point, you only care if they buy, about the relationships with your clients, and maintaining a non damaged business reputation; Do what you can to dispel the negativity it might damage the businesses reputation, dont wait just file suit they dont care if they hurt you, you might have to be ruthless in echange. If you're worried about your life; I have heard when your wealth starts to climb, theres a point where those in the entrepreneurship game add another liability to the books.


Security personnel
 

sparechange

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So I ended up making a report with police and they did nothing about it, infact they accused me of just wanting to harass some stranger. Yet again police are awesome at failing to do their job, my life is potentially in danger and they told me to just sleep it off.

I saw these people again tonight and managed to track them down, I have their home address and reported it to police and they said their investigation is over as X person denied such claims.

Not exactly sure what to do, I'm considering writing a letter to the police department stating I will do my own followup, throw a Go Pro on my head and going to X persons home and filming the interaction (no violence) I'd just like to know what is the problem and why they are uttering threats and such & slandering my business , although it seems quite dicey....

Is it possible * In Canada * to get in trouble for something like this? At the worst case scenario I could potentially see a trespassing claim / invasion of ''privacy'' (filming someones property) but besides that I can't really see anything?

Ah, the joys of being a millionaire would be really nice right now, I'd love to just get into a plane and fly to the other side of the world.....
 
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Simon Angel

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So I ended up making a report with police and they did nothing about it, infact they accused me of just wanting to harass some stranger. Yet again police are awesome at failing to do their job, my life is potentially in danger and they told me to just sleep it off.

I saw these people again tonight and managed to track them down, I have their home address and reported it to police and they said their investigation is over as X person denied such claims.

Not exactly sure what to do, I'm considering writing a letter to the police department stating I will do my own followup, throw a Go Pro on my head and going to X persons home and filming the interaction (no violence) I'd just like to know what is the problem and why they are uttering threats and such & slandering my business , although it seems quite dicey....

Is it possible * In Canada * to get in trouble for something like this? At the worst case scenario I could potentially see a trespassing claim / invasion of ''privacy'' (filming someones property) but besides that I can't really see anything?

Ah, the joys of being a millionaire would be really nice right now, I'd love to just get into a plane and fly to the other side of the world.....

How would confronting them at their property make you look like the victim in front of the police?

Why should they believe your allegations hold any truth whatsoever and that you really are fearing for your life when you're brave enough to knock on the doorstep of people that are hurling death threats at you?

You don't think they won't be on the defensive when you show up at their door? If I were them I would assume that you're at least recording what I say with your phone and I'll avoid getting in trouble. So you're going to end up with footage of you trespassing and them denying everything on camera.

Like the others said, protect yourself - hire a bodyguard, get the support of the local community (you should be making them love you at this point thanks to shining light on crime that isn't normally reported and just being a nice person overall) and don't let you guard down.

But whatever you do, you're never going to sleep feeling 100% safe so I suggest you reflect on whether all of this is worth you potentially losing your life.
 
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Sethamus

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I would just avoid them until you come across more proof that they are continuing to slander your business. Confrontation could just encourage them or actually make them feel threatened where they do atk you. Sounds weird, but with lower intelligence a confrontation would probably lead to a fight more than flight as they do not think about the consequences and cannot communicate to talk their way out of a confrontation even if they wanted to.
 
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AlfaStream

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The others do have a point about perception thats commendable. However, remember this is a matter of survival. Ruthlessness is probably the best key, you did say you had their home address now? So PI, and a lawyer issuing subpoenas regarding any issues you've come about should be nice. I've heard stories of things that come up in civil court can be used to pursue criminal investigations.

My advice to you is. If your business is mobile, so are you.

If you decide to re-locate go back and rip the police department a new one by contacting the proper authorities higher in the chain of command to crack down on them, when you're out of their area. Just like leverage in negotiation, and power dynamic. They're helpless to stop you. I know what its like to have to fight one too many battles like this. I can empathize.

My advice to you is act intelligently, unpredictably, ruthlessly, and quietly.
 

sparechange

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The others do have a point about perception thats commendable. However, remember this is a matter of survival. Ruthlessness is probably the best key, you did say you had their home address now? So PI, and a lawyer issuing subpoenas regarding any issues you've come about should be nice. I've heard stories of things that come up in civil court can be used to pursue criminal investigations.

My advice to you is. If your business is mobile, so are you.

If you decide to re-locate go back and rip the police department a new one by contacting the proper authorities higher in the chain of command to crack down on them, when you're out of their area. Just like leverage in negotiation, and power dynamic. They're helpless to stop you. I know what its like to have to fight one too many battles like this. I can empathize.

My advice to you is act intelligently, unpredictably, ruthlessly, and quietly.

I can't really afford PI's and lawyers, I left them a letter to come to the police station and let me know what their problem is and had the police goto their home and talk to them, they denied knowing anything about the threats so coppers told me they can't do much. Don't even care about pressing charges or whatever, I would just like closure.

I'll try to speak with the officer in charge or some supervisors and see if they can help.
 
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AlfaStream

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I can't really afford PI's and lawyers, I left them a letter to come to the police station and let me know what their problem is and had the police go to their home and talk to them, they denied knowing anything about the threats so coppers told me they can't do much. Don't even care about pressing charges or whatever, I would just like closure.

I'll try to speak with the officer in charge or some supervisors and see if they can help.
Sometimes you have to become your own PI, contrary to belief. Small claims court exists for a reason too, and is generally very affordable. On the cheaper side, attorneys some will offer you a free consultation. If business is slow, consider offering them a part of the judgement as payment, or consider hiring them for a few hours. I was able to win a $2500 judgement, only had to pay 200 to the attorney to make a solid case for me and 100 in court costs. It's doable

And don't even feel bad for a minute about suing the living h-e double hockey-sticks out of someone who wronged you. I know people get a lot of do-do for lawsuits. But you do have a RIGHT to recover whatever damages you've incurred to their fullest legal extent regardless of opinion.
 

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Showing up at their house would just make you come off as a creepy stalker or something. That sounds like a terrible idea. If they attacked you, the police would just think a crazy dude showed up at their house and they defended themselves. Don't do stuff like that.
 

FierceRacoon

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DUDE.
Sounds like they were sent to get you scared. Most likely somebody else sent them and paid them. Normal people don't suddenly come to a stranger in groups of four with threats because of their opinion. So tracing them will get you nowhere.

However, threatening you with the intent of you stopping your activity is likely a crime in Canada. So talk to a criminal lawyer. Ask your subscribers to chip in, if needed, or find one who will do it pro-bono.

You options are:
1. Ignore the incident. Maybe nothing will happen. Maybe they will burn your car or you'll end up in a hospital.
2. Get ready to fight. Find a bodyguard. Get a bullet proof vest. Find a martial arts trainer or someone who can train you to be safe.
At the very least, consider carrying a body camera and/or a recording microphone that is always on while you are in the city. If there is another incident, you must be sure it will be recorded.
3. Stop doing what you are doing.
4. Move away but keep your project.
5. Move away and stop doing what you are doing at the same time.

Whatever happens, DO NOT just go to their property. You may simply never come back. Check out the book The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. Gavin de Becker has a company protecting high-profile clients: Home - Gavin de Becker and Associates
 
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FierceRacoon

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On that note, you can contact Gdba and ask them what to do. Even if you have to pay them a couple thousand for advice, it may well be worth it.
 

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