Was seeing this independent provider over a course of a few months. Out of the blue she demands some money from me. She knows who my fiancé is, and where I live. I recorded the phone conversation we had where she made this threat but don't have anything in writing. I'm not the kind of guy that sets out to ruin a girl - which I could based on what she's shared with me - I think she's just getting bad advice from a boyfriend or something to score some extra cash. But I don't negotiate with criminals. How would you handle? Any experience with this sort of stuff?
I had a problem like this, and called their bluff, and they faded away.
If you have evidence then you could turn it over to the police, but you're going to be in for some bad publicity.
Do not under any circumstances pay them. If you do, you'll never get rid of them
Be providing more personal information than necessary as she knows the name of your fiancé. I tend to not discuss any personal matters with a provider if they ask I usually make something up. However, with all the social media today there is very are fewer chances of protecting your privacy. She must have some drama going on, maybe she needs the money to bail her boyfriend out of jail.
First off, she just burned the bridge... a paying client... If you hopefully are using a hobby phone, change the number. Block her number. Do not pay her. Keep any evidence if her blackmail.
If she persists, I recommend taking this to an attorney of your own. It might cost you but I wouldn't want to take it to LE without an attorney... to keep LE from turning on you. Do you have her real ID? Some have had a lawyer's cease & desist letter sent to her, explaining her demand is illegal & the penalties, under her real name & address. (Sometimes a PI or other reseacher is needed to gather the data.) Usually, the criminal does not expect that they will be placing themselves at risk... and disappears.
Blackmail & extortion are felonies.
Thanks for all the advice. I know her real name and address. I think with the recorded conversation, and her priors she's smart enough to know how easily she could be in some serious trouble. I thank you all for the advice - I'm going to speak to my attorney, provide him the conversation and be ready to act should this proceed further. In the meantime I won't be responding to her. Thanks again all. Lessons to be learned hear for sure.
In my state (Mass) that is a felony to do so without notifying the other party.
Depending on the laws in your state, you may not be able to play that card.
Get legal advice.
(still not a lawyer)
would cost? Would turn the tables. I think I'd put a different message on my voice mail. "This call is being recorded. Please feel free to record any blackmail felony threats after the tone!"
-- Modified on 12/18/2015 11:15:00 PM
Subsequent to the phone call she provided ample evidence via texts, including amount demanded, what she knew and what she would do with the information, etc. Attorney ate that up, I'm not concerned about this coming to pressing charges, she's going behind bars for certain.