Worked on a web project for five months. Client kept using my work while ghosting me about payment.

After months of ignored emails and unpaid invoices, I removed my access and deleted the files from their shared workspace.

Client: suddenly responds after months of silence "All our files are gone from the Trello board!"

Me: "I removed my access after five months of non-payment."

Client: "Could you please explain if you intend to restore our files should we be able to pay you later this week?"

Me: "The files will be restored when payment is received."

Client: "Which items do we still owe you for so I can pass this to our accountants?"

Me: "All of them. As outlined in the 15 emails you ignored."

Client: "We've been busy."

Me: "Too busy to pay, but not too busy to use the work you haven't paid for."

They paid within 48 hours of losing access to their files.