Even if the conversation ends without your accuser taking you at your word, know that they may come to believe you when they have had time to process what you said.

If they refuse to help you, ask them to imagine that you are innocent, and ask what they would advise you to do in that case. Ask “what can you tell me?” You may have to resign yourself to never getting the full story. Let the rumors die rather than reviving them with investigations.

If you know the accusation began with a careless conjecture or a misunderstanding, rather than malice, ask your accuser to speak up and help you stop the false rumor.

Avoid making false allegations in return, as they may compromise your reputation as a teller of truth.

If you would like to meet new people, a new hobby can bring new friends. Volunteer, take a class, or join a meet-up group to make friends who share your interests. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

Repeating affirmations such as “people care about me,” or “I am proud of my accomplishments” can help you recover from the hurt of a false accusation. [9] X Research source

If there is information withheld, ask “what can you tell me about X?” Make sure to obtain your investigator’s name and contact information. Finally, ask with whom you are permitted to discuss the investigation.

Know that you are not necessarily legally protected from being fired for false or impossible to prove allegations. Unless you have a contract that states the minimum length of your employment, you are likely an “at will” employee, and can be fired for any reason. [11] X Research source If you do have a contract that says you can only be fired for committing a crime, or if you believe yourself to be the target of discrimination, you can sue for wrongful termination. [12] X Research source

Not all false accusations count as defamation. If you are not fully identified, if your character has already come under public scrutiny, if you have made statements that support the false claims, if you are a public figure, or if the person defaming you is a former employer or other protected party, your case may not qualify as defamation in every state. [14] X Research source

If you are accused of a crime, consult with a lawyer before making statements on record.

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