Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Christmas shoppers warned about fake online reviews - here's how to protect yourself

Christmas shoppers warned about fake online reviews - here's how to protect yourself

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is leading an investigation into fake reviews, which includes a formal probe into Amazon and Google over concerns they have not been doing enough to combat false write-ups left on their sites.

UK shoppers have been urged to look out for fake online reviews over the Christmas period.

People across the country have bought an estimated 80 million items on the basis of positive online reviews only to be disappointed when they arrive, National Trading Standards (NTS) has said.

It added that consumer trust in online reviews is fuelling a surge in criminals using them to sell poor quality goods and services.

A total of 56% of online shoppers use online reviews as a deciding factor when making a purchase and 67% are more like to buy a product or service if it has a five-star rating, a survey for NTS suggests.

However, NTS found just one in five people check the timing and spacing of reviews online and only 18% look at reviewers' activity history, which can provide useful information about whether they are genuine.

Here are six tips from National Trading Standards to avoid falling for fake online reviews:


*  Timing and spacing - check for multiple similar reviews that have been uploaded within a few minutes or hours.

*  Check the reviewer's activity - if an account has been activated recently or has only reviewed a narrow range of products/services, it could indicate suspicious activity.

*  Vague language - legitimate reviews will often be personal and specific to the individual's experience. A fake is more likely to be vague, using generic words and phrases such as 'amazing', 'awesome' and 'buy this product'.

*  Check contact details - if a reviewer is happy to be contacted with questions, and is responsive, it's a good sign they're legitimate.

*  Use a browser plug-in - they use artificial intelligence to analyse reviews, identify suspicious activity and suggest better alternatives. Examples are Fakespot and ReviewMeta.

*  Look beyond the star rating - whilst a star rating of 4.5 or 5 can be a good quality indicator, be sure to look at the reviews too.

Fake online reviews are estimated to potentially influence £23 billion of UK consumer spending every year, according to government figures.

An investigation into fake reviews is already being conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which includes a formal probe into Amazon and Google over concerns they have not been doing enough to combat false write-ups posted on their sites.

Last year, Facebook, Instagram and eBay removed groups and banned individuals for buying and selling fake reviews, following action taken by the CMA.

"Bogus online reviews damage legitimate businesses and prop up those seeking to make a fast buck by selling shoddy goods," said NTS eCrime team national co-ordinator Mike Andrews.

"Many of those we surveyed said they felt deceived, conned and tricked after unwittingly falling for the fakes, often only realising the reviews were suspicious when it was too late.

"We urge those doing their Christmas shopping online to look out for fake online reviews and avoid being left out of pocket by using our tips."

Anyone who fears they have been the victim of an online scam should report it to actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Unelected PM of the UK holds an emergency meeting because a candidate got voted in… which he says is a threat to democracy…
Farmers break through police barriers in Brussels.
Ukraine Arrests Father-Son Duo In Lockbit Cybercrime Bust
US Offers $15 Million For Info On Leaders Of Cybercrime Group Lockbit
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
Alexei Navalny: UK sanctions Russian prison chiefs after activist's death
German economy is in 'troubled waters' - ministry
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Tucker Carlson says Boris Johnson wants "a million dollars, in Bitcoin or cash, from Tucker Carlson to talk about Ukraine.
Russia is rebuilding capacity to destabilize European countries, new UK report warns
EU Commission wants anti-drone defenses at Brussels HQ
Von der Leyen’s 2nd-term pitch: More military might, less climate talk
EU Investigates TikTok for Child Safety Concerns
EU Launches Probe Into TikTok Over Child Protection Under Digital Content Law
EU and UK Announce Joint Effort on Migration
Ministers Confirm Proposal to Prohibit Mobile Phone Usage in English Schools
Avdiivka - Symbol Of Ukrainian Resistance Now In Control Of Russian Troops
"Historic Step": Zelensky Signs Security Pact With Germany
"Historic Step": Zelensky Signs Security Pact With Germany
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died at the Arctic prison colony
Tucker Carlson grocery shopping in Russia. This is so interesting.
France and Germany Struggle to Align on European Defense Strategy
‘A lot higher than we expected’: Russian arms production worries Europe’s war planners
Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption Rights
Russia "Very Close" To Creating Cancer Vaccines, Says Vladimir Putin
Hungarian Foreign Minister: Europeans will lose Europe, the Union's policy must change drastically
Microsoft says it caught hackers from China, Russia and Iran using its AI tools
US Rejects Putin's Ceasefire Offer in Ukraine
The Dangers of Wildfire Smoke and Self-Protection Strategies
A Londoner has been arrested for expressing his Christian beliefs.
Chinese Women Favor AI Boyfriends Over Humans
Greece must address role in migrant vessel disaster that killed 600: Amnesty
Google pledges 25 million euros to boost AI skills in Europe
Hungarian President Katalin Novák Steps Down Amid Pardon Controversy
Activist crashes Hillary Clinton's speech, calls her a 'war criminal.'
In El Salvador, the 'Trump of Latin America' stuns the world with a speech slamming woke policing after winning a landslide election
Trudeau reacts to Putin's mention of Canadian Parliament applauding a former Ukrainian Nazi in his interview with Tucker Carlson.
The Spanish police blocked the farmers protest. So the farmers went out and moved the police car out of the way.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy fires top Ukraine army commander
Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin raises EU concerns
Finnish Airline, Finnair, is voluntarily weighing passengers to better estimate flight cargo weight
Russia's Economy Expands by 3.6% Due to Increased Military Spending
Ukraine MPs Vote To Permit Use Of Dead Soldiers' Sperm
German Princess Becomes First Aristocrat To Pose Naked On Playboy Cover
UK’s King Charles III diagnosed with cancer
EU's Ursula von der Leyen Confronts Farmer Protests Amid Land Policy Debates
Distinguishing Between Harmful AI Media and Positive AI-Generated Content: A Crucial Challenge for the EU
Tucker Carlson explains why he interviewed Putin
Dutch farmers are still protesting in the Netherlands against the government, following the World Economic Forum's call for 'owning nothing.'
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stands up for European farmers and says, 'Brussels is suffocating European farmers.
×