CASE FILE VI ยท REPUTATION MONITORING
Someone is spreading lies about me.
Your reputation took years to build and a rumour can dent it overnight. Reacting well matters more than reacting fast.
Assess before you react
Pause. A public, angry response often amplifies the very thing you want gone. Decide whether this needs a reply at all, or quiet removal.
Document everything
Screenshot the false claims, where they're posted, who's posting, and timestamps. If this becomes a legal matter, contemporaneous evidence is invaluable.
Use platform and legal removal routes
Most platforms remove content that breaks their rules. For clearly defamatory material, a formal removal request or legal letter may be appropriate.
Strengthen the true story
Make sure accurate, positive information about you ranks higher. Your own profiles and genuine content push false claims down where fewer people see them.
Monitor so you hear it first
The worst outcome is learning about a smear from a client. Monitoring your name means you catch a story as it starts - when it's easiest to address.
Hearing a story turn against you early, from a quiet alert rather than a phone call, is the whole point of reputation monitoring. It buys you time to respond calmly.
You don't have to handle this alone.
Talk to a guardian