Articles and News Items

Op-Ed by Kathryn Dean published in the Toronto Star on June 20, 2022.  Fake Google and Facebook reviews for a Toronto dentist highlight the problem:  Don't count on the tech companies to police their reviews and inform consumers about fakes.

June 15, 2022 story on CTV News Toronto by Pat Foran.   CTV News uses Fake Review Watch research to expose a Toronto dental practice receiving fake Google and Facebook reviews.

May 27, 2022 story on Fox 13 TV Tampa Bay by Kellie Cowan.   A Tampa cigar shop owner deals with the problem of fake negative Google reviews and Google's unresponsiveness.  Kay Dean is interviewed as an expert.

May 12, 2022 article accompanying TV story on Norwegian TV 2 by Nils Ragnar Lovhaug.   Fake reviews aren't just a U.S. problem.  Norwegian TV 2 takes an in-depth look at the various facets of the fake review problem.  Kay Dean is interviewed as an expert and was a contributor to the story.  (Use Google translator to read).

May 7, 2022 article on Clear Health Costs by Mary Steffenhagen.  Many Americans use online review sites to find healthcare providers, but there's a huge problem with that:  An untold number of online reviews on these sites are fraudulent.  Fake Review Watch research contributed to this story.

April 26, 2022 article on Vice News' Motherboard by Joseph Cox.  Yelp “Elite” reviewers are verified members of the site who are supposed to be more trustworthy than ordinary users. Some of them are selling their reviews to businesses around the country.  Article based on Fake Review Watch research and sources.

March 1, 2022 article on trustsignals.com by Scott Baradell.   Given the importance of online reviews to consumers today, the prevalence of fake reviews is a serious problem.  Interview with Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch.

February 18, 2022 article on NBC Bay Area by Chris Chmura, Alyssa Goard, Mark Villarreal, and Jeremy Carroll.   NBC Bay Area reports on the problem of fake Yelp Elite reviews using Fake Review Watch investigation and sources.

February 14, 2022 WTHR Indianapolis news article by Bob Segall.  Fake Review Watch investigation forms the basis of this in-depth piece highlighting the fake Facebook and Google reviews for Indiana pediatric dental practice Smiling Kids. 

December 5, 2021 article on Mashable by Natasha Pinon.   Fake Review Watch reporting forms the basis for a Mashable report on fake reviews for cosmetic surgeons Simon Ourian of Beverly Hills and Adam Rubinstein of Miami. 

October 12, 2021 SRF (Switzerland) news article.   Research by SRF Data has shown that falsifications of ratings and reviews on Google Maps are widespread - also in Switzerland. How do you know if it's a trustworthy review? Former American federal detective and fake rating specialist Kay Dean worked with SRF Data to collect useful tips. 

August 30, 2021 article on dentaleconomics.com.  In his second article about fake online reviews, Dr. Michael Davis talked with Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch about the fake review problem, the role of the tech companies and review sites, and what needs to be done.

July 22, 2021 article by Michael W. Davis, DDS, on dentaleconomics.com.   Increasingly, online reviews on dental practice websites and social media have become a vital element in the mix of practice marketing. People often access these consumer reviews when they’re trying to find a dental provider. The question becomes, can these reviews be trusted? The answer too frequently is a resounding "No!" according to Kay Dean of Fake Review Watch.

Op-Ed by Kathryn Dean published 06/07/21 in the Toronto Star.  Google and other tech companies are not serious about cleaning up fake review fraud.  It's time for action to rein in Big Tech.

Fake Review Watch research formed the basis of a 06/04/21 Washington Post article on fake medical reviews.  The story highlights fake Google and Trustpilot reviews for The Center, A Place of Hope, a mental illness and addiction treatment facility in Edmonds, Washington.  The research is contained in the FRW video, Bangladeshi Facebook Group Fakes Google and Trustpilot Reviews for US Businesses.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation conducted an investigation based on Fake Review Watch information contained in the video U.S. and Canadian Fake Google Review Network.  The network contains over 1200 businesses throughout North America that are obtaining fake Google reviews.

Fake Review Watch's video Bangladeshi Facebook Group Fakes Google and Trustpilot Reviews for US Businesses prompted Trustpilot to slap a warning on its site for The Center:  A Place of Hope, a mental health treatment facility in Edmonds, Washington.  The warning states that Trustpilot has "detected a number of fake reviews for this company.."

     Probably no other form of online fraud affects more people than fake online reviews. Twenty-first century consumers rely heavily on online reviews in making purchasing decisions.  Surveys such as a 2018 Pew study found that 93 percent of U.S. adults use online reviews and ratings when buying something for the first time, and 88 percent say online reviews and ratings make them feel confident about their purchasing decisions.   
    Fraudulent reviews are more deceptive and harmful than other forms of false advertising because consumers believe they are written by legitimate, unbiased customers.  Businesses across all professions—including doctors, dentists, and lawyers—are actively deceiving their very clients through fake online reviews. The ramifications of fake reviews can be severe.    
    Fraudulent reviews constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices that impact commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Soliciting for, selling, or writing fake reviews also violates the community standards of many review platforms, including Facebook, Google and Amazon.   
    According to FTC Commissioners Rohit Chopra and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, “ Fake reviews distort our markets by rewarding bad actors and harming honest companies.  The problem is growing, and the Federal Trade Commission should attack it.”   

Op-Ed on Medium by Kathryn Dean.  The massive problem of fake online reviews and what needs to be done about it.

Op-ed in CalMatters by Kathryn Dean.  A psychiatric practice fakes reviews, fakes awards, fakes being a lawyer, and defrauds people.  What do the Santa Clara County DA, the California Medical Board, and the State Bar do about it?  NOTHING.

Some unethical doctors use online marketers to obtain fake consumer reviews.  In one case, a Bangladeshi fake review broker arranges fake Google and Trustpilot reviews for US medical practices.  Other doctors trade for fake reviews in Facebook review exchange groups.  Blog post by Kathryn Dean.