Confront your accusers

When you have not instigated an offense, provided your accusers don't have weapons confront the calumny they are attempting to attach to you. Be direct. Use the facts at hand. Be respectful. Show why your interpretations of the situation differ from the accusers. People will lie and dramatize their plights to create a loss of your option to utilize the power they covet which only you possess. Have enough of a back bone to stand up to them. Hold your own in their pejorative attempt to ruin your chance at avoiding the welfare state. Your life is the sum of your character, not their flimsy accusitorial screed.