Google has recently taken proactive steps to tackle the issue of negative review extortion scams. To empower and prepare our clients for any review-related situations, we have created a comprehensive guide on best practices. 

By remaining vigilant and prepared, you can help protect your business from extortion scams and ensure the ongoing credibility and trustworthiness of your online presence.

Protecting Your Business from Review Extortion 

Negative review extortion scams pose a significant threat to businesses, and because these schemes are taking place on their platform to their users, Google is dedicated to defending your Business Profile from malicious activities. 

These scams often manifest as an onslaught of 1-star and 2-star reviews. These reviews are often left by non-customer/clients, shortly followed by demands for money, goods, or services in order to remove the negative feedback. While Google's moderation systems catch much of this suspicious activity, because of the scale of reviews being made at any given moement, they are unable to catch every occurrence. 

That is why it is crucial for business owners to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting potential extortion attempts. If you suspect that your Business Profile is being targeted, take immediate action to protect your business and preserve its reputation.

Steps to Report an Extortion Scam

1. Do Not Engage: Avoid contacting or paying those behind the scam, as this may encourage further attempts and does not guarantee the resolution of the issue.
2. Evidence Collection: Gather all potential evidence as soon as possible. This includes saving all communications and any proof of extortion activities.
3. Report Promptly: Use Google's merchant extortion report form to file a complaint. Provide detailed information to assist in the investigation, such as:
   
   • Your contact details and your role within the business.
   • The full name, address, and link to the affected Business Profile.
   • Detailed descriptions of the suspicious reviews.
   • Contact details and methods used by the third party engaging in extortion.
   • Attach screenshots and files that clearly illustrate the extortion attempt.

Preparing Your Evidence

To strengthen your report, include as much evidence as possible:

• Screenshots: Capture all communications from the alleged extortionists, showing their demands for money or favors to remove negative reviews. Ensure the screenshots include the date, time, and sender's contact information.
• Review Links: Provide direct links to all reviews believed to be part of the extortion scheme.
• Contact Information: Gather any names, usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, or social media profiles of those making demands.
• Contextual Details: Document when you first noticed the negative reviews and when the extortion demand was received, along with any history of similar incidents.

Once your report is submitted, Google's team will thoroughly investigate the claim and notify you of the investigation's outcome. While specific details of the investigation remain confidential due to privacy and security policies, Google maintains a vested interest in upholding the integrity of Business Profiles and their reviews within.