Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California
Is this libel?
I have a professional services business on the Internet. I publish on my site that I do not give refunds, similar to the way doctors and lawyers do not; that a service once done cannot be undone and it's unlike a product.
A client paid me $4500 on his credit card through paypal and about six months later chargebacked the fee. I published this fact on my site and gave the details, which are all true.
I didn't accuse him of a crime. I merely stated the facts. I did use his name and his business name.
Is there any legal problem with what I did?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Is this libel?
In general, libel is the written publication of false information about a person that causes harm. The saying is, "if it's true, there can be no libel." However, since there might be very few customers who shell out the big bucks you're talking about, those who frequent your site might be able to figure out the identity of the person who got cold feet. There might be a privacy question that an attorney in your area might be called upon to deal with at some later date.
Re: Is this libel?
I know that a retailer cannot post a NSF check on their cash register, displaying the name of the writer of the check.
Your better choice would be to seek collection of the obligation through some other method, such as a lawsuit, if you believe that you delivered the service.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
