tree md
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I have just found out in the past week that someone I worked with last year has been using my business name and credentials without my authorization or knowledge.
I got a call a week ago from someone telling me that this guy was claiming to be my company and had a certificate of my insurance. Said he saw my name on the certificate and thought he would give me a call to check it out. I called my insurance agent and sure enough, this guy went in and convinced my agent that we were partners and he gave him the certificate. After a good tongue lashing I told my agent not to give out anymore certificates unless I authorize it. We worked together last year but my company and insurance has always been in my name as sole proprietor. I used him as a contractor of sorts to do ground work and haul wood. The guy told me he found this guy on craigslist so I checked it out and sure enough, he is posting listings under my company's name, claiming my company's insurance and my BBB credentials. I flagged the post, contacted craigslist and had the ad removed.
Then this morning I get a call from a church administrator in town saying that he had contacted my insurance company after seeing my name on the insurance certificate he was presented by this guy, suspected this guy was a sham and decided to check it out. He wants me to come bid a job at his church this week.
Question: do I have any legal recourse for what this guy is doing? I have not told him I am aware of what he is doing yet because I want it to be a surprise in the event I have to get the authorities or an attorney involved.
What would you do?
I got a call a week ago from someone telling me that this guy was claiming to be my company and had a certificate of my insurance. Said he saw my name on the certificate and thought he would give me a call to check it out. I called my insurance agent and sure enough, this guy went in and convinced my agent that we were partners and he gave him the certificate. After a good tongue lashing I told my agent not to give out anymore certificates unless I authorize it. We worked together last year but my company and insurance has always been in my name as sole proprietor. I used him as a contractor of sorts to do ground work and haul wood. The guy told me he found this guy on craigslist so I checked it out and sure enough, he is posting listings under my company's name, claiming my company's insurance and my BBB credentials. I flagged the post, contacted craigslist and had the ad removed.
Then this morning I get a call from a church administrator in town saying that he had contacted my insurance company after seeing my name on the insurance certificate he was presented by this guy, suspected this guy was a sham and decided to check it out. He wants me to come bid a job at his church this week.
Question: do I have any legal recourse for what this guy is doing? I have not told him I am aware of what he is doing yet because I want it to be a surprise in the event I have to get the authorities or an attorney involved.
What would you do?
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