WA Business Employees Harassing Friend - What To Do?

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Nigel

Member
14 December 2014
3
0
1
I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section, but as it is a business I felt this was more appropriate than the general area.

I have a friend who posted on a business' social media page (a "Smoke Shop") saying that some of the products seemed like counterfeits (he knows his stuff) and that some products they sell can be dangerous (legal smoking mixes). After posting, somebody from the business privately messaged him abusing him, making false claims, and threatening legal action (see images below). They then posted his information asking for his whereabouts.
My friend feels, obviously, intimidated by the way they were responding to a calm criticism.

My question is, can anything be done about this harassment? It's extremely unprofessional, but I'm unsure as to whether they're just being rude or are breaking the law.

Thank you in advance for any information.

Images:
- Album on Imgur

Edit: In addition, theyhave previously posted naming and shaming others with things like:
"We just want to leave burn mark on his hand as a reminder for his stupidity and cowardness.

We will hunt him.
We will find him.
We will torture him."
 

Sarah J

Well-Known Member
16 July 2014
1,314
251
2,389
Melbourne, Victoria
Hi Nigel,

It sounds like a mere scare tactic used by the business, and whilst it is not professional and would likely hurt their reputation, issuing intimidating letters/emails is unfortunately not against the law. If the business has your friend's personal contact information (address, phone number) and is harassing your friend on this basis and your friend genuinely feels there is an imminent risk of being assaulted or hurt by someone from this business, then he should contact the police and depending on the outcome, think about placing a restring order against the company to prevent them from coming near him or contacting him. However, found the sounds of the above, it may be excessive.
 

Nigel

Member
14 December 2014
3
0
1
Hi Nigel,

It sounds like a mere scare tactic used by the business, and whilst it is not professional and would likely hurt their reputation, issuing intimidating letters/emails is unfortunately not against the law. If the business has your friend's personal contact information (address, phone number) and is harassing your friend on this basis and your friend genuinely feels there is an imminent risk of being assaulted or hurt by someone from this business, then he should contact the police and depending on the outcome, think about placing a restring order against the company to prevent them from coming near him or contacting him. However, found the sounds of the above, it may be excessive.

Thank you, I will start looking into obtaining a restraining order.