Technology

Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews

TechnologyJul 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.

Amazon package outside door
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 … 

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.

The Latest

London Jewelers Rolex East Hampton Boutique Exterior
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons Home

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

WatchTime New York
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary Edition

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Marie Lichtenberg emerald and diamond locket on the 18-karat gold “Rosa” chain
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a Wrap

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

Tiffany & Co. Pop Up at U.S. Open
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US Open

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

Bellman’s Jewelers The Truthful Jeweler Alex Bellman
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes Off

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

Stock image of police cars with lights flashing
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, Robbed

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

Oris New York Harbor Limited Edition II Watch
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster Restoration

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Jewelers for Children logo
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ Challenge

Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

Lulo Rose pink diamond
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner Lucapa

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry Retail

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

Fake Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earrings
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ Earrings

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

MJSA Logo
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally Recognized

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Masaki Obu
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division Manager

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Michael Barabash and husband Raymond Cuadrado
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

John Hardy Dot Coil Necklace and Dot Hoop Earrings
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on Point

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

IJO Vendor of the Year Allison-Kaufman
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the Year

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

Image of Winona Ryder and Iman from Pandora’s Be Love marketing campaign
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift Etho Maria ruby earrings The Life of a Showgirl TS12
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy