How We Handled a Coordinated Fake Review Attack (And How You Can Too)

Earlier this month, Moore Tech Solutions experienced something we never thought would happen: 15 one-star reviews appeared on our Google Business Profile within hours—all from people we had never done business with.

After more than 15 years in business with nearly 60 legitimate reviews (almost all five stars), we suddenly faced a coordinated attack designed to damage our reputation. We’re sharing our experience to help other businesses facing similar situations and to demonstrate our commitment to transparency with our clients.

What Happened

Within a 24-hour period, 15 negative reviews flooded our Google listing. The red flags were immediate:

• None of the reviewers were in our customer database
• All reviews appeared within hours of each other
• The accounts showed suspicious patterns
• Most disturbingly, two reviews constituted clear extortion attempts, with one reviewer providing a WhatsApp number and suggesting we contact them to have the comments removed

This wasn’t legitimate customer feedback—it was a deliberate attack on our business.

The New Legal Landscape

Timing matters here. The Federal Trade Commission recently implemented new regulations banning fake reviews, with penalties that can reach significant amounts per violation. This means that fake review attacks aren’t just unethical—they’re now federally illegal.

For businesses targeted by these attacks and for those who might consider leaving fake reviews: there are real legal consequences.

How We Responded (Step-by-Step)

If you face a similar situation, here’s exactly what we did:

1. Document Everything Immediately

• Screenshot every fake review with timestamps
• Note patterns (timing, account age, similar language)
• Check our customer database to confirm these were not clients
• Document the extortion attempts separately

2. Respond Professionally to Each Review

We replied to every fake review with a factual, professional response that:

• Stated we had no record of them as customers
• Noted our 15-year track record
• Mentioned the new FTC regulations
• Explained we had reported the reviews as fraudulent

3. Report to Google as Spam and/or Extortion Scam

We immediately flagged each review through Google’s reporting system, selecting “spam” or “fake review” as the reason and providing our documentation.

Google has released a new support guide addressing extortion scams involving negative reviews on Google Business Profiles. The guide covers the nature of these scams, the reporting process, what business owners can anticipate, and crucially, actions to avoid. It’s titled “Report negative review extortion scams on your Business Profile.” The document has a link to the merchant extortion report form.

4. Report the Extortion Attempts

The reviews requesting payment for removal were reported separately, as they constitute criminal extortion. We contacted the Federal Trade Commission and used their reporting system to report the fraud and the extortion attempt. Note that reporting to the FTC is particularly important for cases involving extortion or egregious patterns; for most fake reviews, reporting to the platform directly is the primary step.

5. Legal Steps

We documented everything in case legal action becomes necessary. Since both the extortion attempt and the fake reviews constitute illegal activity, you can also file a police report. Although it is not always possible for the police to discover who the attacker was, it can still help in the situation where Google isn’t being responsive.

The Outcome

Google’s response was swift and appropriate. Within 12 hours of our reports, all 15 fake reviews were removed from our profile.

This quick resolution demonstrates that review platforms are taking fake reviews seriously, especially in light of the new federal regulations. However, it required immediate action and proper documentation on our part. Note that response times can vary—we were fortunate with our quick resolution, but other businesses may experience different timelines.

What This Means for Other Businesses

If you experience a similar attack:

Act quickly. The sooner you document and report, the faster the resolution.

Stay professional. Angry or defensive responses can backfire. Stick to facts.

Know your rights. The FTC’s new regulations may offer businesses and consumers additional legal protections.

Don’t engage with extortionists. Report them to the platform and law enforcement. Never communicate directly with them and never pay.

Leverage your real customers. Encourage legitimate clients to share their honest experiences.

What This Means for Our Clients

For those evaluating Moore Tech Solutions or who may have seen screenshots of these fake reviews circulating: this incident actually reinforces what we’ve always stood for—integrity, transparency, and accountability.

We didn’t hide from the problem. We addressed it head-on, followed proper channels, and resolved it quickly. That’s how we’ve operated for over 15 years, and it’s how we’ll continue to operate.

Our track record speaks for itself: decades of satisfied clients, legitimate five-star reviews from real customers, and a commitment to doing business the right way.

Moving Forward

We’re grateful to Google for their prompt action and to our clients who reached out with support during this incident. We’re sharing this experience because we believe transparency builds trust, and we hope this information helps other businesses facing similar attacks.

Fake reviews hurt everyone—businesses, consumers, and the integrity of online marketplaces. We’re pleased to see platforms and regulators taking this issue seriously.

If you have questions about this incident or our services, we’re always happy to discuss them directly.

Disclaimer: This post shares our personal experience and the steps we took in response to a fake review attack. It is not intended as legal advice. Businesses facing similar situations should consult with appropriate legal and professional advisors to determine the best course of action for their specific circumstances.

Has your business experienced fake reviews? We’d be interested to hear about your experience and how you handled it. Feel free to reach out.