how to deal with BS legal threats

[auntthelma]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?
California

Our neighbor has some tools we would like back. We have requested they return them (2 phone calls and knocking on the door). They are being jerks about it, so one day my husband made a face at them while walking by. Now they are accusing us of harassing them. The 2 phone calls to them were angry, but not harassing. (And I know making a face is not considered harassment.) However, the following two letters they sent us are not sitting well with me b/c we did not commit any crime. I would like to address these two letters (sent by both wife and husband), but don't want to fuel the situation. Any suggestions on how to respond b/c I don't want this "threat" left open.

1. I am writing this to inform you that if you continue to contact us by phone or e-mail or speak to us in any other harassing manner we will be forced to take legal matters against you. Please stop harassing us.

2. I have already talked to two of my friends from the sheriffs department. If there are any more attempts to contact my friends or family immediate legal action will be taken. I hope you realize the seriousness of this matter. I will be making a copy of this e-mail and if you do not abide by this request then you will only have yourselves to blame.

Thanks in advance!
AT

 

[dkshadow]

Take them to court

First send them a certified regestered letter, demanding return of your property in 30 days, or you will contact your small claims court. to file a law suit against them. It is very cheap to file a cause of action. Also ask for extra money for replacment of tools and all court costs. Good luck, dkshadow

 

[auntthelma]

let them know their threats are BS

Oh boy. I don't want to take them to court over it. I just want to let them know that their legal threats are both BS and unwelcomed.
-AT

 

[dkshadow]

you can send a certified letter

is called " a Cease and Desist " notification, to stop all harrassing behavior or a cause of action will be filed . Make sure you include the following , harassment is againt the law and so is false incrimination.
That word alone should cure their irrate behavior. dkshadow

 

[CdwJava]

You haven't committed a crime. So the implied threat of criminal action is bogus ... IF they have friends at the Sheriff's Department, they either failed to tell the deputy the whole story, or, their friend is a janitor that works there.

And I agree with the letter in response - send them a letter demanding the return of your property or take them to court.

- Carl

 

[auntthelma]

friends in high places?...or LOW places?

I laughed so hard when I read your "janitor" comment. Thanks for the advice (and the laugh!) I knew their threats were bogus (esp. b/c he's speaking for his friends)...and the fact that it was sent via' email. (er, "spam"?). After I sent a reply (also telling him we didn't appreciate their legal threats)...some of the property was returned that day. But they still have one tool.

Found this too. Grrrrrr....

"December 16th, 2003: Bush signed the so-called "CAN SPAM" bill into law today, effectively legalizing spam. What the law does is make sure that anyone now has the right to spam you legitimately, so long as they provide contact information and a way to opt-out..."

-AT