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Fraudulent Reviews

by goindeep
22 replies
Hi

Ive been seeing a lot of writers offer to write and or film reviews for people. Ive seen them offer reviews for Amazon, for their very own sites, in testimonial form and or on youtube.

Luckily I have not seen anyone offer to write fake WSO or Warrior Forum reviews... yet.

What I want to know is if there is some law in any country against creating and publishing fake reviews?

The reason I ask this is because I do a little writing here and there and I seen other content writers blatantly and willingly promoting the fact that they will write reviews for people. Having owned and operated a review site myself I know that mostly 90% of the reviews they write they will never actually review the product.

I had the same problem and that is when I decided that i'd rather keep my dignity and so I started curating the reviews and only doing real reviews when I could actually review the product or service.
#fraudulent #reviews
  • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
    While I don't think this will answer your question, I'll give you my side of it. One of the products that I offer in my biz is to write product reviews. When offering this, I typically think of Amazon of CB products. When I (or someone on my staff) write these, I'll write it not as someone who's used it (unless I actually have), but more of an actual review of what the product does and what it offers.

    Here on the WF, it someone is given a review copy or even a discounted rate in order to give a review, that must be put in as part of the review. I can't answer your question as to whether there's a law for it, though.

    -- j
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    • Profile picture of the author goindeep
      Originally Posted by JaRyCu View Post

      While I don't think this will answer your question, I'll give you my side of it. One of the products that I offer in my biz is to write product reviews. When offering this, I typically think of Amazon of CB products. When I (or someone on my staff) write these, I'll write it not as someone who's used it (unless I actually have), but more of an actual review of what the product does and what it offers.

      Here on the WF, it someone is given a review copy or even a discounted rate in order to give a review, that must be put in as part of the review. I can't answer your question as to whether there's a law for it, though.

      -- j
      Sounds like your trying to do the right thing. You just might wanna read this Amazon.com: Customer Reviews Submission Guidelines
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Andrei Rotariu View Post

    What I want to know is if there is some law in any country against creating and publishing fake reviews?
    I'm not a lawyer.

    I think publishing reviews known to be fake (with a view to people buying something, i.e. publishing by the vendor or affiliate or a financially interested party) is probably illegal in most countries, simply because it's a form of fraud. In the UK, for example, it would be contrary to various sections of various Theft Acts which deal with things like "obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception" (or attempting to). Most countries have some sort of equivalent of this, whether it's statutory law or common law/precedent law, I think?

    The more difficult issue here may be what actually constitutes a "fake review". It could (perhaps) be argued (though maybe not too convincingly?) that paying someone on Fiverr to produce a "review" for you doesn't necessarily make it a "fake review". Then again, in some countries, there are laws about whether "incentivized reviews" have to be disclosed as being incentivized. I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jaymark
    I have received some offers to review products but none of them have asked me for anything but an honest assessment. That's what I like about the Warrior Forum. It tends to have less garbage and more helpful information.
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    It is not illegal to have scripted reviews or paid endorsers, but there are guidelines that regulate it. If it were illegal, you would never see actors in a soap commercial saying how wonderful the product is.

    Here is a link to the FTC's latest guidelines on the topic.
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  • Profile picture of the author IanGreenwood
    I'm not a lawyer or any sort of legal practitioner, and this should not be read as legal advice.

    I'm certain that just making up "fake" testimonials is illegal (contrary to advertising standards) in most western countries but if you've actually purchased and used a product then I would think you can give your opinion freely - after all, that's what word-of-mouth marketing is all about
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    • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
      Originally Posted by IanGreenwood View Post

      I'm certain that just making up "fake" testimonials is illegal (contrary to advertising standards) in most western countries
      I guess the U.S.A. is not part of the Western countries you are referring to. Actually, I am pretty sure the UK isn't either. See my post from before.

      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      It is not illegal to have scripted reviews or paid endorsers, but there are guidelines that regulate it. If it were illegal, you would never see actors in a soap commercial saying how wonderful the product is.

      Here is a link to the FTC's latest guidelines on the topic.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        You can review a product without owning it as long as you don't claim personal experience that you don't have. You do this through research and reporting what you've found.

        A testimonial or endorsement is a different kettle of fish.

        It sounds like the OP may be confused between those two things, as well as some others in the thread.
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      • Profile picture of the author IanGreenwood
        Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

        I guess the U.S.A. is not part of the Western countries you are referring to. Actually, I am pretty sure the UK isn't either. See my post from before.
        Thanks Brian - you should read my post! I wasn't talking about scripted reviews / endorsements. I was talking about fictitious testimonials. Read:-

        In summary, Lifestyle Lift employees published positive reviews and comments about the company to trick Web-browsing consumers into believing that satisfied customers were posting their own stories. The Attorney General stated that these tactics constitute deceptive commercial practices, false advertising, and fraudulent and illegal conduct under New York and federal consumer protection law.
        ...at New York has first public action against Fake Consumer Reviews « The Goodman Law Firm

        ...from 2009.

        This is from your home country. The UK is the same. Read

        Bogus online reviews face EU ban ? The Register

        from 2007.

        Sorry. You obviously misunderstood my post.
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        • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
          Originally Posted by IanGreenwood View Post

          Thanks Brian - you should read my post! I wasn't talking about scripted reviews / endorsements. I was talking about fictitious testimonials.

          Sorry. You obviously misunderstood my post.
          Ian, even the fake reviews mentioned in the links you gave are legal, as long as they are presented in the ways layed out in the FTC guidelines. You are absolutely allowed to use fake testimonials, written or acted out, as long as you identify them as such.

          Surely, you have seen commercials on TV where somebody is giving a heart felt product testimonial and then, in tiny print, the words "dramatization" appear.
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  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    Luckily I have not seen anyone offer to write fake WSO or Warrior Forum reviews... yet.
    ? people rig the reviews here ? never

    http://fiverr.com/gigs/search?query=...view&x=24&y=17

    Do you have a Warrior Forum Special Offer and looking for somebody to leave a review and/or testimonial for you? Feel free to order from me today. You can add this tesimonial/review to be part of your salespage for your WSO. (Sorry about putting this down. It's back up now!) I can give you either a personal review for $5, but if you order twice, you can give me the words needed for the review! So, you can write it yourself if you want!
    lmao = um i really goodest prduct for you make millins of dullars fromz it, reads my revuz 2day
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  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    I'm not sure the OP was concerned with scripted reviews or paid endorsers but rather the legality of publishing fake reviews online.

    I'm not a lawyer either but I certainly would steer clear of publishing any fake reviews.

    There are thousands of writers who will write a review for a product or service. Is it legal? I don't know. If you are selling any affiliate product, be sure to put a disclaimer on every page of your site and any published articles.


    Good for you OP to limit yourself to only doing real reviews when you actually review the product or service.

    Here's some info from clickbank on the subject: Vendor Promotional Messaging Guidelines
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  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    I love the preacher man on 5er he tells it like it is

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  • Profile picture of the author Adevictus
    You ever watch TV?
    People in commercials are giving "fake" reviews and testimonials left and right for all kinds of products and services. It is an industry standard for any aspect of marketing.

    I know the FTC cracked down on flogs, but you can still get away with a whoooole bunch of stuff in respect to fabricated reviews/testimonials.
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    • Profile picture of the author IanGreenwood
      Originally Posted by Adevictus View Post

      You ever watch TV?
      People in commercials are giving "fake" reviews and testimonials left and right for all kinds of products and services. It is an industry standard for any aspect of marketing.

      I know the FTC cracked down on flogs, but you can still get away with a whoooole bunch of stuff in respect to fabricated reviews/testimonials.
      Ah! Getting away with it, and it being illegal, are two very different things. I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of an investigation from the US FTC or the UK's ASA just because a customer complained about a questionable testimonial.

      There is a difference between a "review" a "testimonial" and an "advertisement"... at least in legal terms. And I think semantics is what is causing the misunderstanding in this post.

      Fake or "made up" testimonials or reviews are clearly illegal. Adverts, or commercials aren't - even if they are made up. (Like Brian pointed out above)
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      • Profile picture of the author robestrong
        Here on the Warrior Forum, fake reviews aren't technically around, but there are quite a few reviewers who ask for a copy of something, maybe look through the intro, decide it's not for them, then say "looks good" and leave. Seems borderline fake to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    Originally Posted by ifusemedia View Post

    Definitely a grey area, I personally discount all product reviews now.
    Not all product reviews are fake. When you see a review in a WSO thread, it is much more likely to be an honest review than a product review on a website with an affiliate link attached. Not always the case, but more likely.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dylan Lars
    I believe as long as someone doesn't promise fake results like "will make you 4 billion dollars by next Tuesday," it won't really become an issue. Customer reviews, FTC regs, guidelines, these are all good things to know, but in the end a review is supposed to be something engaging that makes the customer think about the product in a positive, negative, or neutral light.

    Eh, I don't think I really answered your question, but it is a good topic for exchange. Hooray free market economy.

    Best,

    Dylan
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  • Profile picture of the author MarkBradley
    What do you think is the best ways to ask for an honest product review in the fourm?

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author alexiaa
    Banned
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  • Profile picture of the author paulsbiz
    The whole 'review site' thing has lost any credibility, as it should have. I can't believe anybody believes these phony 'reviews' that all point to one product as the 5 Star Best. Flimsy information and obvious affiliate links seem to render them useless.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    Originally Posted by Andrei Rotariu View Post

    What I want to know is if there is some law in any country against creating and publishing fake reviews?
    The FTC recently prosecuted someone for giving a false testimonial:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...k-schemes.html
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  • Profile picture of the author williamk
    Banned
    They are pretty common now a days. Also I am not a lawyer. But Reviews are just expression of your personal experience. There is no way a legal action can be taken. Each person has unique tastes, so it doesn't really matter. Please do note I am not a legal expert though.
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