Lockout/Shut down wordpress

  • I am a designer who recently created a theme for a client to run on their wordpress site. The site is up and running and looks great but now I am having problems with the client not paying me for my work. I have invoiced him and tried to get him to hold up his end of the deal, but no luck. It’s frustrating.

    As of now I am still an admin on his wordpress site, but once I threaten shutting his site down due to non-payment, I’m sure he will boot me out of the system and I will be left hanging forever. I could just go do it now, but I am against shutting it down without warning first. Is there anyway I can create some kind of key within wordpress that will let me lock down his site from outside? My concept would be for some coding on the index page that links to a page on my own server and requires it and then links back to his site. And if the page on my site was deleted or renamed, than his site wouldn’t continue loading. Anyone have some ideas? I’m still a beginner when it comes to coding.

    Thanks!

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  • Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    Is there anyway I can create some kind of key within wordpress that will let me lock down his site from outside?

    …

    Anyone have some ideas?

    Any ideas? Yep, three words: don’t do it. Or two words might be better: walk away.

    IANAL but you need to protect yourself and refrain from doing anything that could have some men with silver bracelets knocking on your door.

    If the client is not paying then you are getting the shaft. Don’t compound the situation by doing something that could get you into deep poo.

    Write them a letter (on paper) with explicit instructions on how to change the admin password that you have. Include the bill for your services. Send it via postal certified delivery and go out and have a beer with some friends.

    Until you get paid the balance, stay away from their blog, don’t log in again, and keep away from their company.

    Good luck and I hope you get paid.

    Trying to do something like that could be viewed as unethical or worse by some. I would just remove the theme you developed and give it back when you get paid. That way you don’t mess with any of his content…you’re only holding back you own work until you’re paid for it.

    Just a thought.

    EDIT: The advice above is probably even better…good luck.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
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