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This account is based on a conversation with Vanessa Voss, a 42-year-old entrepreneur based in Tacoma, Washington. Business Insider has verified her identity and the recent harassment she has experienced. The following story has been edited for length and clarity.

Last year, in a strategic move to enhance her business's visibility, Voss purchased a Cybertruck. The vehicle prominently displays her companys logo and branding, along with a photo of herself on the front. In addition to the Cybertruck, her agency also owns a Silverado and a Jeep Cherokee, both of which are similarly wrapped in her logo. This decision was made to bolster marketing and advertising efforts for Voss Insurance Group, which assists clients in navigating retirement and transitioning to Medicare.

Voss Insurance Group is not affiliated with the federal government; instead, it provides essential services that help individuals enroll in prescription drug coverage, Medicare supplements, and Medicare Advantage plans. Part of the agency's mission involves diligent branding and advertising related to the Medicare enrollment process, offering free advice and localized services to its clientele.

When Voss decided to purchase the Cybertruck, the atmosphere surrounding Tesla was different from what it is today. At that time, there had been no incidents of Cybertrucks being set ablaze, nor had Tesla's political controversies erupted into the current discourse. The Cybertruck's distinctive design features flat edges, which allows ample space for branding and visual components that can enhance the business's visibility.

However, a troubling turn of events began two weeks ago when Voss and her business faced a wave of online and offline harassment due to their choice of vehicle. The harassment escalated quickly, starting with a phone call from an individual who issued alarming threats. This caller not only expressed a desire to harm Voss but also hurled accusations, labeling her as a Nazi and suggesting she should end her life. On that fateful day alone, Voss received a total of 12 phone calls, some from blocked numbers.

In the wake of receiving this alarming death threat, Voss promptly filed a police report. However, she discovered that there were limitations to how much law enforcement could assist, particularly in situations categorized as harassment that did not escalate to physical violence. A sergeant she knows advised her to keep the Cybertruck parked in her garage until the situation subsides.

Since that initial weekend of harassment, the volume of calls has decreased somewhat, but the threats have continued. Callers have left voicemails taunting her about her choice of vehicle, saying she should be ashamed, and ominously hinting at potential damages to the Cybertruck. In a disturbing breach of privacy, one individual even posted a photo of her vehicle parked in her driveway on Reddit, inviting further attacks on social media.

The toll of this harassment has been significant. Voss reported that her agency received three hostile Google reviews and two negative Yelp reviews, which they spent considerable time and effort trying to have removed. While most of the harassment has been directed at Voss, some of her employees have also been subjected to intimidation. For instance, one of her agents, initially in discussions with a potential client, received vulgar replies to follow-up emails.

Among the more concerning calls was one from a man who threatened to tarnish Voss's business reputation in the community. Although he was treated professionally during the call, Voss and her team ultimately had to hang up when he began to monopolize their phone lines with his threats.

Voss suspects a coordinated effort behind the harassment, noting the similar language used by different callers, such as threats to spread negative information about her agency.

In light of these threats, Voss has taken proactive measures for her safety and that of her team. She recently hired a self-defense instructor to conduct a training session for her staff, a precautionary step that cost her $436 for two hours of instruction. This session will focus on various self-defense tactics, including verbal de-escalation techniques, responses to active shooter situations, and escape strategies from common holds.

As a business owner leading a team of four women, Voss is acutely aware of the need to create a safe working environment, especially considering their office's proximity to a busy street. Despite the unsettling nature of the harassment, she has fortified her commitment to ensuring her employees feel secure. Discussions about safety protocols, such as leaving the office before dark and tinting the windows of the Cybertruck to obscure visibility into the vehicle, have become standard practice.

Voss expressed her disappointment over the current state of society, stating, I am very disheartened by the fact that people think it's OK to attack any individual. She believes that the harassers fail to grasp the vital role her agency plays in aiding individuals with Medicare and retirement, and instead, they make assumptions based on her choice of vehicle, which has been unfairly politicized. She concluded, If Social Security or Medicare were to dissolve, I would be the first out of a job. It doesnt make a whole lot of sense for me to support one way or the other.

Despite the pressure to conform or capitulate to the harassment she faces, Voss remains resolute. I havent considered selling the Cybertruck because it takes a whole lot of courage to consistently grow, work, and strive really hard to be successful in business and help the community. I am not one that will be bullied. Im just not going to allow a group of people to bully me into actually trading in my vehicle.