Warning: Google Review Scam Alert for Small Business Owners
At Wild Iris Marketing, we’ve recently seen a troubling new scam targeting small businesses through their Google Reviews—and we want to make sure you’re informed and protected.
Here’s how the scam works:
A scammer posts one fake, negative Google review about your business. This review might be loosely related to your business but is clearly not really about your products or services.
Shortly after the review is posted, you will receive an email threatening to post many more fake bad reviews unless you subscribe to their so-called “review monitoring service.” The fee for this “service” may be presented as a one-time thing or an ongoing subscription. The email may look official or urgent, pressuring you to act quickly by signing up for a fraudulent service—but it’s all a scam.
This is extortion, plain and simple.
What You Should Do (and NOT Do):
Call Us!
We have significant experience working with Google to get fake and fraudulent reviews removed.
Do report the fake review to Google (but only after you talk to us)!
It’s absolutely possible to get fake reviews removed, especially if they violate Google’s policies. The sooner you act, the better.
Do NOT respond to the fake review publicly
It’s tempting to reply and defend your business, but engaging with a scammer (even indirectly) can make the problem worse and legitimize the review in the eyes of customers.
Do NOT respond to the threatening email
Any reply confirms that your business is active and may lead to more aggressive threats or further attempts at extortion.
Absolutely do NOT pay for their “service”
They are the ones posting the fake reviews. Paying them will not protect your reputation—it will encourage them to keep going and possibly even ramp up their efforts in an effort to get even more money from you. This is a “protection racket” and blackmail, and blackmailers never stop – they may even try to extort more money from you later once they know you are willing to pay up.
How Wild Iris Marketing Can Help
If you’re facing this situation, don’t panic—and don’t go it alone. Wild Iris Marketing can help you. We HAVE successfully mitigated fake Google review attacks.
If you’ve been targeted by a fake review scam, contact Wild Iris Marketing right away. We’re here to help you protect your business, your brand, and your peace of mind.