Q: I have a question about potential defamation case involving a customer who bought one of the tours I sell.
A customer who bought a tour and completed it is now asking for a charge back from the credit card company making false statement about the tour and the social cause that the tour is supporting through my social enterprise (she's claiming the social cause does not exist when we a website, sponsors, fundraising page and media coverage for it) and that the tour price is overpriced (although it falls within the range of pricing for the tour in particular). She wrote this statement to the credit card company which was forwarded to me because I'm disputing the charge back. As claiming that the social cause connected to the tour to be non-existent is a false claim, can I take some type of defamation action at this point against this customer? If so, before suing, I'd like to take non-legal steps as a start - writing a demand/cease & desist letter - any other steps you recommend? If not, what advise do you have to make this person stop and ideally withdraw her chargeback request?
A:
A Wyoming attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It's possible that what you describe could amount to textbook defamation, if you are able to prove the elements. However, such cases can also be costly to pursue - if a law firm handles things on an hourly basis.
One option, if you want to start out handling things economically on your own, could be to construct a well-written defense of your position to the credit card company. That wouldn't involve an attorney. If you succeed there in demonstrating the merits of your claim, it could be useful in the related issues you describe - if you later discuss with an attorney.
A Wyoming attorney could advise more definitively, since consumer protections and defamation laws could have state-specific elements. Good luck
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