Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

What do you do if someone has lied about you and others believe it?

Someone in my town has told some lies about me, And now other people who don't even know me think bad about me.

This is slander and I just wonder what a good Lawyer would do for me in this case...Because there is absolutely no truth in what all has been told ...And these lies have effected my reputation...I wonder if I should just move out of this town, OR just walk with my head heald high and sue the pants off this person...HELP ME TO DECIDE...

10 Answers

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Why would people believe a lie? Do your friends believe it? If so. why?

    Slander is punishable in most states. You can only recover the amount of damage that you lost. If you can't show monetary loss, you may be huff'n air.

    .

    Good Luck.

    .

  • WW
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    I have had this before, and I walked away from it because I know it's a lie, God knows its a lie and the person knows its a lie.

    For all that believes the liar are judging, therefore to me it makes them shallow if going to take one persons word, and only half the story (their half-the lie) Your half (the truth) IS the truth, and if people took the time to observe and listen to the whole story then maybe the scales wouldn't be so one sided.

    you can sue if got some proof of the lie, and say how it is damaging your reputation, or walk away. I always believe it takes a bigger man to walk away because it is showing them they can't knock you down with the lies, but I wouldn't allow them to continue either. You can warn them with your intentions without actually sueing, make it quite clear you are strong enough to beat them by bringing it to an end, even make them eat humble pie and request a personal apology and if this isn't enough to stop the slander then go ahead and sue, but personally I'd ignore what they are saying, walk away from it.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I don't think either of your solutions are very good; although, moving away would solve the immediate problem. Before doing that, however, let me suggest that you gather your real friends, and talk with them, either singly, or in a group (like a get together at your house for the purpose of this conversation). Be open about what you know is being said, and tell your side of the story. IF they believe you, let them spread the new and revised rumors, repairing your reputation.

    Even if you win a lawsuit, it will do nothing to really help your reputation, I fear, as people will still suspect you did whatever it is rumored you did; most of us don't trust the legal system all that much. Please think of OJ Simpson, and Michael Jackson and reread that last sentence.

    Also remember, society is just full of a bunch of as$holes who enjoy judging others; sometimes holding your head high and thinking "fukthem all" isn't so bad, either.

    Good luck, and may God give you strength and courage.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Get proof and sue for defamation of character.

    I am sure you are not the first and I am also sure others know it is not true either. These people should be stopped and a lawsuit should do the trick. The simple act of asking people if they would sign an affadavit to that affect will be the start of clearing the matter up and exposing the cruel beast. Good luck

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    I am going through he exact same thing at the moment... it's relentless and it's awful. Realistically, I know that a slander case would be too hard to put together... and who on earth would co-operate as a witness? Options I'm looking at are trying to find other groups of people to get to know whom the rumours haven't reached yet... or leaving town if it really is just too hopeless.

    What you're going through is community bullying, and it's not that uncommon. Try the following sites for some info, advice, and to at least feel like you're not alone:

    A site that is largely about workplace bullying, but is still applicable to your situation:

    http://www.bullyonline.org/

    A Yahoo Discussion Group to accompany that site, and chat to others about your situation:

    http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/bullyonline/

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Well, it depends on what the lies were about. But if that's likely to actually affect you, you should confront those who believed the lie in good faith (not the liar himself, who is never going to take it back voluntarily). So, you bring honest people back to the right ideas about you, and by that means you'll discredit the liar.

    That doesn't mean, of course, you shouldn't ALSO report this person for slander.

    Good luck.

  • 1 decade ago

    If the lies will cost you money then sue. It's impossible to say what you should do unless we know the severity of the lies.

  • 1 decade ago

    Make up lies about that other person. Tie them in with the false stories about you so when he says it's not true, he has to take back everything.

  • 1 decade ago

    if u can prove it get a lawyer ! this serves all who are victims in waiting as well ..... if it's more than u can handle save yourself the abuse and just walk away ....good way to separate friends from foes if u like ?

  • 1 decade ago

    hi..this is ners, for me all i can say is that dont bother about other people around you...not all are perfect....all of us commits sins so, in this case just let them do it..

    Let god decide what will be the right punishment fo rthem...

    For only god has the power to punish them....always remember that ..god is good all the time...

    Just commit all of those to the lord...

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.