If it was spoken by word of mouth from one individual to another, and they KNOWINGLY spoke falsely about you, that is slander. It is difficult to prove what someone did or did not do knowingly.
If they wrote the information down and passed it on to someone, it is called liable and is much easier to prove and use in a court.
If they wrote the information down and passed it on to someone, it is called liable and is much easier to prove and use in a court.