Holiday shopping safety alert: Spotting fake reviews

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – With more and more people doing all their holiday shopping online, the Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers to be on the lookout for fake reviews.

Hunter Jones, President of the Better Business Bureau of the Upstate, said some businesses may use fake positive reviews to gain buyers’ trust and trend upward on e-commerce websites.

Here are things to watch for:

• Where is the review? Businesses control their websites and social media pages and only post the best reviews. Look for third-party reviews on other platforms.
• Does the review look generic? Fake reviews often have generic names and vague, short descriptions of the product.
• Are they scene-setting? Fake reviewers may tell personal or second-hand stories that are focused on scenarios like anniversaries or birthdays. Genuine reviews focus on the product.
• When were the reviews posted? If a business suddenly receives a large amount of reviews in a very short amount of time, it may indicate they are fake.
• Are the reviews from verified buyers? Some sites indicate verified purchasers. If a large number of reviewers say they received something for free in exchange for their review, it is a red flag.

In August, the Federal Trade Commission made it illegal for businesses to create fake reviews, buy positive reviews, or suppress negative consumer reviews.

Click here to report suspicious online reviews.

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