TripAdvisor issues warning about fraudsters
TripAdvisor has issued a warning to business owners about fraudsters who claim they can improve their ratings.
The company’s CEO, Steve Kaufer, has written to clients saying that groups known as ‘optimisation companies’ are trying to get money in return for ‘manipulating the rankings’ by adding positive reviews or removing negative ones.
It added that some companies even claim to have an official relationship with TripAdvisor while others have resorted to blackmail, extortion and financial fraud against businesses which use their services.
TripAdvisor has asked for hospitality business owners to report any such approaches to their Content Integrity team at [email protected].
The letter says: "It is common that owners have reported that once they engaged with these types of companies, they have been subjected to blackmail, extortion and financial fraud when they have tried to disengage from their services.
"TripAdvisor has a zero tolerance for fraud, in fact; so far in 2015 we identified, investigated and shut down more than 30 optimisation sites, and will continue to pursue these companies until they are no longer a risk to our community."
A spokesman said: "We are getting in touch with business owners around the world to let them know about the actions that we at TripAdvisor take against these firms and individuals.
"We are also encouraging any business owners who have been approached by optimisation companies to let us know in order to aid us in our fight against those who would attempt to manipulate the content on online review sites, and damage our industry’s reputation."
Diane
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