If this isn't the appropriate forum, please feel free to move my question elsewhere. I've seen discussions on this but more about avoiding it, but it's happening and I need to do something. I posted about the provider the other day - the gist is I hired him a few times, wasn't a great experience, so I left him alone but he kept texting/messaging me. I finally told him I couldn't pay anymore because of financial issues. At which point he said he had a good time, so "let's do it anyway." Well, the day after that meeting he sent me a payment request via Venmo. When I reminded him, he said he didn't remember me telling him that, and that he was probably drunk. (I have our entire communication history on my phone, it's all there clear as day, but he's not interested.) But anyway, he's demanding payment and it's getting more threatening by the day. I blocked his number but he seems to be using every phone he can get a hand on to message me. He's threatened to go to my workplace. He has sent me screenshots of colleagues contact into that he's found online. He, or someone with him, has posted NextDoor postings that look like nothing to someone else, but are clearly veiled threats of physical violence, showing up at my house, etc. I'm at a point, I think, where I have to go to police. Has anybody ever done that? Is it a terrible idea? Would I be throwing myself to the wolves along with him? I did, believe it or not, get RM to take his profile off. I told them my workplace where he keeps saying he's coming is a school. Bring it on dumbass - he'll find himself surrounded by 3 resource officers with weapons drawn. I said to RM that then there'll be news reports - you want to see his profile from your site on the evening news? Then they'll shut you down and you'll cost all these good people their jobs. An hour later, I got a very nice letter apologizing for leaving it up and telling me it's been removed. But I digress...I still need some good, practical advice here. I'll probably head to a police station after work this afternoon to make a report - unless y'all think that's a terrible idea. Thoughts? Next steps? Is the cops a bad idea? I'd of course prefer not to go to jail myself. Thanks, all.

So, I'll speak in the minority (maybe). You are giving your power away. You are turning yourself into a victim and you should take a breath for a moment. Regardless of the fact that we don't have all the details, that's not important. We aren't involved and can only respond to the details you've shared. We are neither judge nor jury. My opinion is only based on your current information. You need to accept that you are giving him your power. Sorry. And I know it is scary. It is probably because you are 'embarrassed', 'ashamed', 'afraid', <fill-in-the-blank> of him revealing or outing you. This is really about him stalking you and taking advantage of your giving him your voice and power. That doesn't mean ignore it and hope it goes away. You do need to take your power back. Three possible suggestions: Suggestion 1: Tell him you owe him nothing and that if he continues to harass you, you will go to authorities. You consider his behavior bullying, abusive, and harassment, and unacceptable. You are ceasing all communication and further attempts by him will result in you going to the police. Suggestion 2: Stop ALL communication. If he calls, hang-up without saying anything. If he texts, block the texts. However he communicates, do NOT respond. You're reaction is a lever for him to control you. If you don't get riled, then he has no control. Suggestion 3: Go ahead and report it to the authorities. Talk to an attorney and listen to their advice. You do not have to lie about it. You don't have to obfuscate. If need be, tell them the truth. The issue here is about escalating behavior and stalking. Just my tuppence. Just for the record, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.