Blog     Tour     Login     Register

Malicious review

Business Community Home > Business Law Forum
|
Return to the Business Law ForumPOST A REPLYViewed 381 times
 
Original Message Added : 5 Jul 2012 - (Edited : 5 Jul 2012)
 
We have received a false and malicious review on Freeindex, posted by a competitor. We have closed our reviews pending resolution, but can we also sue?

Douglas A. Hill from
Anderson Hill
Location :Kingston upon Thames
Joined : 07 May 2009
Contact :Send Private Message
Posts :2  ( 0)
Reply : 5 Jul 2012
 
You may have an action in defamation but this would very much depend on, amongst other things, what was said. A word of caution - an action in defamation is not cheap and may be hard to prove.

If you would like to discuss your query in more depth please contact Acumen Business Law on 08457 648948.

Penina ShepherdPenina Shepherd from
Acumen Business Law
Location :Brighton
Joined : 08 November 2007
About :The Business Specialist Law Firm
Contact :Send Private Message
Posts :73  ( 33)
Reply : 27 Jul 2012
 
I would also suggest that we have received an attempted malicious review, but intercepted and removed the review before it was complete. The person leaving the review attempted to leave the review using an email that matches the email of the suspected company.

When I tried to phone them today, i was hung up on, I only introduced myself as this stage.

I'm a little frustrated because all reviews are customer submitted and to this point almost all are five star, Freeindex is our main selling point to customers, and someone has intentionally attempted to sabotage that.

However because the url was *******@shitty.co.uk I assume he doesn’t own the email and is unable to confirm it. However the ******* part before this is very unique and matches an email of a company in the local area.

Do I have rights to pursue legal action even though no damage has been done but the inention was there? I have taken various screenshots including the review, the process of me matching up the details of the competitor and would be interested in talking to somone legal about this if they feel there is a chance for action to be taken and that action being worthwhile.

Thankyou

Alex

Nexus WebsitesNexus Websites from
Nexus Websites
Location :Wigan
Joined : 30 December 2011
About :Expert Web Designer
Contact :Send Private Message
Posts :3  ( 1)
Reply : 6 Aug 2012
 
Alex,

Our problem was sorted quickly and effectively by Freeindex who deleted the review and closed our competitor's account. This was before the review had actually been posted on our page, so no harm was done. Sorry for the slow response - been on holiday.

Douglas A. Hill from
Anderson Hill
Location :Kingston upon Thames
Joined : 07 May 2009
Contact :Send Private Message
Posts :2  ( 0)
Reply : 6 Aug 2012
 
Not a problem, much appreciate your reply!

Fortunately there have been no other developments on our end, I expect the situation has been put to bed, until the next jelous competitor arrives!

Thanks

Nexus WebsitesNexus Websites from
Nexus Websites
Location :Wigan
Joined : 30 December 2011
About :Expert Web Designer
Contact :Send Private Message
Posts :3  ( 1)
Reply : 29 Aug 2012
 
This seems to be a real problem with these free indexes. I don't know what the answer is. If you've loads of good ones then I guess most people won't take too much notice of a one-off. I've had friends who own a hotel suffer from this and there was little they could do in the end.

Nick Johnson from
Henleys Electronics
Location :Newcastle upon Tyne
Joined : 29 August 2012
Posts :5  ( 2)
 
POST A REPLY


Also See...
 
 Really bad Review is it liable
 
 Employment contracts
 
 Local competitor copying and pasting my Freeindex reviews to his Google places!!
 
 Legal advice wanted asap please
 
 Unauthorised & Unknowing Signature on contract
Recently Viewed ::
Remove
Forum


 
Information :: Tour | FI For Business | Testimonials | History | Blog | Support | Press | Terms of Use | Privacy | Tradebodies | Follow Us ::  Twitter Facebook
 
  Discussion :: Business Development | Cold Callers & Scams | Employing Staff | Finance & Accounting | Internet & IT | Legal | Premises & Offices | Sales & Marketing