CrimeJul 10, 2024
US Customs Seizes $10M in Counterfeit JewelryTechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews
They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
Earlier this month, online giant Amazon and the Better Business Bureau filed a joint federal lawsuit against ReviewServiceUSA.com for allegedly selling fake reviews, both positive and negative.
Seattle—Amazon and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have filed a joint lawsuit against the website ReviewServiceUSA.com for allegedly selling fake reviews.
In a lawsuit filed July 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the companies accused the site of using phony customer accounts to share fake positive and negative reviews on Amazon product pages and BBB profiles.
These reviews, said the lawsuit, were sold to people who wanted to boost the ranking and rating of their products and businesses, which can give their pages more visibility.
According to court documents, ReviewServiceUSA.com also allegedly offered to post fake negative reviews to Amazon or a BBB page for those looking to impact a competitor.
In a screenshot shared in court documents, the website advertised a “Buy Amazon Reviews” service, charging $50 for per review.
The screenshot said reviews would be posted from different IP addresses and different devices, and that if Amazon removed the review, ReviewServiceUSA.com would replace it with another review.
ReviewServiceUSA.com offered a similar service for those looking to buy reviews on the BBB website, charging $60 for three reviews and $200 for 10 reviews, according to the lawsuit.
In addition to fake reviews, the website allegedly sold another service, “Buy Amazon Seller Accounts,” for between $280 and $500.
These accounts were said to come with all the necessary documents to set up an account, including phone numbers, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and passports. The company also allegedly promised a replacement account if Amazon shut it down.
ReviewServiceUSA.com appears to be offline as of press time.
In a press release about the lawsuit, Amazon highlighted the importance of reviews to the overall shopping experience, giving consumers the ability to make informed purchase decisions.
“These fake reviews undermine trust in the reviews experience, which harms customers and sellers alike,” said the company.
Related stories will be right here …
In a lawsuit filed July 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the companies accused the site of using phony customer accounts to share fake positive and negative reviews on Amazon product pages and BBB profiles.
These reviews, said the lawsuit, were sold to people who wanted to boost the ranking and rating of their products and businesses, which can give their pages more visibility.
According to court documents, ReviewServiceUSA.com also allegedly offered to post fake negative reviews to Amazon or a BBB page for those looking to impact a competitor.
In a screenshot shared in court documents, the website advertised a “Buy Amazon Reviews” service, charging $50 for per review.
The screenshot said reviews would be posted from different IP addresses and different devices, and that if Amazon removed the review, ReviewServiceUSA.com would replace it with another review.
ReviewServiceUSA.com offered a similar service for those looking to buy reviews on the BBB website, charging $60 for three reviews and $200 for 10 reviews, according to the lawsuit.
In addition to fake reviews, the website allegedly sold another service, “Buy Amazon Seller Accounts,” for between $280 and $500.
These accounts were said to come with all the necessary documents to set up an account, including phone numbers, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and passports. The company also allegedly promised a replacement account if Amazon shut it down.
ReviewServiceUSA.com appears to be offline as of press time.
In a press release about the lawsuit, Amazon highlighted the importance of reviews to the overall shopping experience, giving consumers the ability to make informed purchase decisions.
“These fake reviews undermine trust in the reviews experience, which harms customers and sellers alike,” said the company.
Amazon has invested in methods of proactively stopping fake reviews, it said, including using machine-learning models and expert investigators, and taking legal action against fake review brokers.
It said it has stopped 250 million suspected fake reviews from its store in 2023.
“Despite the efforts of both Amazon and the BBB, fake reviews persist because schemes allowing bad actors to pay for five-star reviews are organized and orchestrated largely on third-party websites such as Review Service USA, or in dedicated groups on social media sites, as opposed to within Amazon’s stores or on the BBB website where the fake reviews are ultimately posted,” said the lawsuit.
Amazon filed a similar lawsuit in 2015 against operators of sites allegedly selling fake product reviews.
“Amazon is committed to ensuring reviews remain a trustworthy, insightful resource for consumers worldwide and we have zero tolerance for any attempts to mislead our customers through fake reviews,” said Claire O’Donnell, Amazon’s director of selling partner trust and store integrity.
“We’re grateful for the collaboration with the Better Business Bureau to hold these fake review brokers accountable for their deceitful actions. This lawsuit sends a clear message to bad actors that Amazon will use all available means to preserve the authenticity of product reviews.”
By teaming up, the two can combine their resources and expertise to fight back against deceptive practices, said Melanie McGovern, director of public relations and social media for International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
“The joint lawsuit will convey that fake reviews will not be tolerated. BBB remains committed to fostering trust and promoting integrity in the marketplace to protect consumers and honest businesses,” said McGovern.
Amazon and the BBB both prohibit fake reviews on their sites.
The companies said the goal of the lawsuit is to shut down ReviewServiceUSA’s operations.
More on Technology
The Latest
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
