At Liberty Savings Bank, we want you to feel confident when you make financial decisions — whether you’re choosing a service, a product, or a contractor. One important tool many people rely on is online reviews. But not all reviews are trustworthy. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently took action to warn businesses about fake or misleading reviews, and we want to help you understand what that means for you.
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Why This Matters to You
Online reviews are meant to give honest feedback from real customers. Unfortunately, some companies create, buy, or post fake reviews to make their products or services look better than they really are — or to bury negative information. This can lead you to make choices based on misleading information, which can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
Important Things to Know
- Fake reviews hurt real consumers and honest businesses. They make it harder to know what to trust and distort your ability to compare options fairly.
- The FTC has reminded companies that writing or paying for fake reviews — or offering incentives only for positive reviews — can lead to enforcement actions and fines.
- This applies to all kinds of online platforms, including Google, Amazon, Walmart, and others where customers leave feedback.
Tips for Spotting and Reporting Fake Reviews
Here are a few practical steps you can take when you’re reading reviews online:
Check multiple sources
Don’t base your decision on a single site — compare reviews across platforms.
Watch for sudden bursts of reviews
A lot of five-star ratings in a short time can be a red flag.
Look at review patterns
Genuine reviewers often provide specifics about their experience — vague praise without detail may signal a fake review.
Report suspicious reviews
Report them to the site where you found them — many platforms have tools to flag inappropriate or fake content.
If you suspect widespread fake reviews, you can also report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; include “fake review” in your comments.
Remember: The goal of these FTC warnings is to protect consumers like you and to help honest businesses compete fairly. Being aware of fake reviews can help you make better decisions and avoid scams or misrepresentation.
If you ever have questions about how to evaluate financial products, services, or reputable business practices, Liberty Savings Bank is here to help.
