Lesson 1

Since listening to lashon hora is forbidden, what should we do if someone wants to tell us derogatory information? Maybe it will be necessary information that we need to know to protect ourselves from a possible loss?
So... Ask the person if the information s/he wants to tell is necessary for a practical beneficial purpose (i.e. to prevent you from being cheated). If the answer is Yes. Then we are permitted to listen to it. However, the information cannot be accepted as truth - only used so we can take precautions.

Lesson 2

If it is apparent that you will not derive any practical benefit from what the person plans to tell you (even if the speaker claims you will), you are forbidden to listen. In many instances, a speaker won’t say that "No, the information isnt necessary." Therefore, be careful to read between the lines and be sure what you are hearing is really for a constructive beneficial purpose.

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Lashon Hora = Saying a derogatory/negative statement about someone else that is TRUE
Motzi Shaim Ra (Defamation of Character) = Saying a derogatory statement that is FALSE
About Whom is it Forbidden to Speak Lashon Hora - Any Individual Jew - Alive or not, - adult or child, family member (spouse, in-laws, parent, child, siblings), groups/sects of Jews, Entire Jewish Nation