When creating websites, developers often resort to promotion methods such as fake reviews. Additionally, when launching a new product or item that isn't selling, they start promoting it with reviews that are written to order. These comments are meant to attract buyers. This can lead to selling a completely unnecessary or low-quality product, thereby deceiving customers.
How to Recognize Fake Reviews
Fake reviews differ from genuine ones in that:
- the author praises the product without considering its negative aspects;
- the content looks like personal experience, but upon closer inspection, it's clear there are no real personal impressions;
- the text mentions various qualities of the product but doesn't reveal its benefit specifically for the writer;
- there are unnatural notes in the intonations of the fake text;
- attention is drawn to properties like low price, existence of a bonus program;
- the full names of the product are always mentioned;
- it is mentioned that the product or item was discovered by chance or someone recommended it;
- the text is written clearly and professionally, which indicates commissioned work by a professional.
These are not all the signs of identifying a fake review, if you feel that something is wrong with a review, or it raises doubts or surprise, then it is most likely a fake review.
Signs of a Fake Business
To deceive someone, a fraudster needs to attract their attention. Often they create websites with fake businesses. There are several signs that can help identify a fraudulent business:
- it's impossible to understand what the business is about;
- exaggerated promises;
- technical details are discussed;
- offers to fill out forms or tests;
- when reviewing the company, it cannot be found on social networks;
- lack of realistic reviews or any comments;
- a sum is required for registration or purchase, i.e., a prepayment.
Moreover, payment is made to a bank card or account not listed on the company's website.
To start cooperating with a company, you need to study the information presented on the website links posted there. Then it's clear whether the business is real or if they are trying to deceive you and make money off you.
Fake Reviews and Their Impact
To sell a non-existent product or one that holds no value, scammers often use fake reviews. They try to attract the attention of buyers or investors. Some people can instantly spot scammers who post implausible reviews upon first reading. But there is also a category of people who truly believe in the reality of these reviews and fall under their influence.
Very often, victims are users who follow posted links, reviews. They invest money or buy a product mentioned there (in such a case, there can be two outcomes - either the buyer will not receive the product, or they will receive it, but not of the quality stated in the fraudulent reviews and will be disappointed. In such situations, it's unlikely to get back the spent money, thus it's clear that the influence of individual reviews is quite high and aimed at impulsive purchases by trusting people.
How to Distinguish Fake Reviews from Real Ones
Real reviews are not professional, their signs can be considered:
- personal experience with the product, its quality that the buyer liked or disliked in a real review;
- the buyer will write about both the positive and negative qualities of the product they have used.
- fake reviews will definitely be laudatory and have signs of professional copywriters' work.
Very often fake reviews are similar in content and length, containing links to the product, recurring keywords, repeated ideas - this indicates commissioned text on a professional level. If the site is not fake, there will definitely be negative reviews, because there are no completely satisfied customers.
Fraudsters and Fake Reviews
The presence of reviews on a site also plays a significant role in the popularity of an online store; it is worth determining the period in which reviews were posted on the site's pages. If a large number of reviews appeared on the store page simultaneously, it indicates that the reviews are commissioned and the site is relatively new, suggesting fraudulent schemes.
Fraudsters order fake reviews to lure and deceive clients. Their goal is to advertise a non-existent product and exert psychological pressure on the victim, forcing them to purchase this product.
Fake Business: How to Recognize It
To determine if a business found on the internet and of interest to you is fake, you should carefully study the company's website and determine:
- are there initial fees for working with the company;
- is there information about contacts, founders, owners;
- is the company registered on special platforms that allow such business operations;
- does the declared information match the real one.