You wake up, check your Google Business Profile, and your stomach drops.
You’ve been hit with three, five, or even a dozen new one-star reviews, all at once. You don’t recognize the names. Then, the email lands in your inbox: “Pay us $200, or we’ll post 20 more.”
This isn’t a hypothetical. This is a real extortion scam that just targeted a wave of businesses and restaurants in the Philadelphia area.
Your first instinct is to panic. Your second is to think, “Maybe I should just pay them to make this go away.”
Do not do either.
Panicking is the worst thing you can do. Paying them is the second worst—it just proves you’re a target and funds their next attack. As a business owner, you are not helpless. Here is the exact 3-step action plan to fight back.
(You can watch the full 5-minute breakdown in our video here):
Step 1: Don’t Panic. Build Your Case File.
Before you click a single button, you need to stop and gather evidence. You are building a case file to send directly to Google. Do not engage with the scammer.
Your single most important piece of evidence is that extortion email or message.
- Screenshot it immediately. Save it. This is your “smoking gun” that proves this isn’t a real customer. It’s attempted fraud, period.
Next, document the fake reviews themselves.
- Create a document (Google Doc, Word Doc, etc.) and list the reviewer’s name, the date of the review, and a direct link to it.
- Look for patterns. In the Philly attack, they all hit at once. Are they all posted in a short time frame? Do they use similar language? Are the names suspicious? Write all this down. This is all proof that it’s an organized attack.
Step 2: How to Report Fake Google Reviews to Google (The Right Way)
You have two different ways to report fake reviews. For a scam like this, you must use the second, more powerful method.
Method 1: The “Quick Flag” (For Single Fake Reviews)
This is what most people do. You go to the review, click the three dots, and select “Report review” (or “Flag as inappropriate”). This is fine for a single, one-off fake review, but it’s a low-priority signal to Google. For an extortion attack, this is not enough.
Method 2: The Google Business Profile Support Form (For Scams)
This is the “Red Alert” for Google. This is what you must use for an extortion scam or a “review-bombing” attack. You can find this form in the Google Business Profile Help area, or by searching for “GBP report suspicious reviews.”
This form is where you upload your case file. You will provide:
- Your business information.
- The direct links to all the fake reviews.
- Your timeline of events.
- And most importantly, your screenshots of the extortion email.
This instantly turns a simple “my word against theirs” into a clear-cut case of fraud, which Google takes much more seriously. Be patient, as it can still take days or even weeks for a human at Google to review your case and take action.
Step 3: To Respond or Not to Respond? A Critical Decision
While you wait for Google, should you respond publicly to the fake reviews?
- If it’s part of an extortion scam: DO NOT RESPOND. Don’t engage. Responding just confirms your account is active and that you’re paying attention, which might encourage them. Let your reporting do the talking.
- If it’s just a single fake review (and not an obvious scam): A professional response can be smart. This shows other real customers that you’re responsive. Keep it calm and brief.
- Example: “We appreciate all feedback, but we have no record of a customer by this name or any details matching this experience. We are investigating this, but if you were a customer, please contact our office directly so we can learn more.”
It’s polite, it doesn’t accept blame, and it shows you’re on top of your business.
The Best Defense: Build a Proactive Review Strategy
Handling a fake review attack is reactive. The best long-term strategy is to be proactive.
Think about it: a single one-star review is devastating when you only have 10 reviews. But when you have 200, it’s just a drop in the bucket. The unfortunate truth is that a customer with a bad experience is highly motivated to leave a review, while the 95-99% of customers who love your service often stay silent.
You have to create a system that motivates this silent majority.
- Ask for Reviews (All the Time): Your goal is to build a “firewall” of positive reviews. This starts by recognizing that making every customer interaction matter is the first step. Then, you must have a simple system (via email, text, or QR code) to ask your happy customers to share their experience.
- Engage with All Your Reviews: Another key part of this is engaging with the reviews you do get. Actively responding to your positive reviews shows new customers you’re engaged and appreciative. And knowing how to professionally respond to legitimate negative reviews (not the scam ones!) shows professionalism and a commitment to service. This engagement actually encourages more customers to leave feedback.
This entire proactive approach is a core part of a healthy Google Business Profile optimization workflow.
Don’t Let Scammers Control Your Reputation
Don’t let a fake review scam derail your business. Stay calm, build your case, and report it through the proper channels.
And more importantly, start playing offense. By building a strong, consistent review strategy, you make your business “review-proof,” where a few fakes can’t tarnish the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build. This is a non-negotiable part of any modern Local SEO strategy.
Tired of playing defense with your online reputation?
Biondo Creative helps businesses build proactive review strategies that bury the fakes with a mountain of real, positive feedback. Contact us today by calling 267-362-9321 for a consultation.