Getting a bad review of your business can be upsetting, but at least it can be possible to learn from the experience and improve. Fake reviews, on the other hand, have no constructive purpose and can easily damage your reputation. There are some ways to address this issue, but you may end up requiring the assistance of a business lawyer in Bergen County if the problem gets out of hand.
Can I Report Fake Reviews?
The first step should be reporting the fake reviews. Websites like Google and Yelp should offer you an option to say that a review is fake and why you think the fraudulent review should be removed. Recent rules issued by the FTC also allow you to report false reviews directly to the government. This may be especially helpful if you are facing a deluge of fake reviews.
Can I Prove a Review is Fake?
It can be tough to definitively prove that a review is fake, but there are some pieces of evidence that you can review if you suspect that someone is just trying to lower your rating on a high-traffic search engine or website. You can look at:
Your point of sale software: If the reviewer left their real name, then that name should be listed in your sales history. If it’s not, the review could be fraudulent.
Customer service records: When someone is dissatisfied enough to leave a review, that probably means that they contact customer service to try and rectify the problem first. If there’s no record of that interaction, then it could be a fake review.
If a competitor is mentioned: A reviewer who takes the time to mention a competitor of yours by name could be seen as suspicious.
Recent review trends: If you are experiencing a sudden large increase in negative reviews, many of them could be fake.
Unfortunately, it can be tough to prove anything definitively when it comes to the legitimacy of these reviews.
Should I Respond to Fake Reviews?
A website or search engine may not be quick to remove fake reviews, so it can sometimes be beneficial to respond to them. Don’t go on the attack. Remain professional, apologize for the experience, and simply state that you have no records of dealing with this customer. Whether the review is made up or based on a real negative experience, your business looks like it’s ready to improve and address problems.
Do I Need to Take Legal Action?
If you suspect that someone is trying to damage your reputation through fake reviews, you may have a case against them. We recommend talking to a lawyer and learning more about defamation cases and if you have the evidence needed to clear the high bar set in such lawsuits.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you need help dealing with a company or person who means to damage your reputation, contact the Law Offices of Colin M. Quinn. We can tell you more about your legal options and how our team can help you address the problem.
