Customer Accuses Us of Hacking Their Systems and Causing Damages

[ghurty]

My question involves business law in the state of: New Jersey.

We did an IT job at a customer. At first they were happy, but then a few days later problems with their internet came up. At first they accused us of having messed things up, however the internet provider agreed it was a problem with the providers systems.

However, this did not satisfy the customer, and they continued to accuse of messing up, then they expanded their accusations to not only incompetency on our part, their then started accusing us of willfully and actively hacking/attacking their systems. After trying unsuccessfully to reason with the customer we walked away. They never paid us our bill.

About three months, the customer started sending us accusatory letters again, with the tone of the letter implying that they will be filing legal charges for us willfully and actively hacking/attacking his systems. And that they lost thousands of dollars due to our incompetency as well as hacking activities.

The questions are as follows:
1) Being that three months have passed since we last dealt with their systems and by their own admission they have had numerous other IT companies since then, how can they even think that they can show that we messed up? There is no longer any proof/record of what each company did.

2) We tried asking them, what motive would we have to attack their systems. They were not able to give us one. Would they have to be able to prove a motive?

3) Does the fact that we have literally hundreds of satisfied clients who can/will testify that we do a good job help?

4) Anything else we should be aware of regarding this type of issue?

Thank You

[Mr. Knowitall]

1. You would have to ask them, their IT person, and anybody else who might be suggesting that you are at fault.

2. If they have evidence or theory of a motive (personal dislike, unpaid bills, etc.) they can argue that as a motive.

3. No.

4. Depending upon the detailed facts, almost certainly. Sometimes these things get dropped; sometimes they're pursued. Unfortunately we cannot tell you what will happen in your case.