Legal help for businesses facing fake and defamatory online reviews
Every day, businesses across the UK are targeted by fake and damaging online reviews. These attacks are often malicious, sometimes even planted by competitors, and they can quickly ruin reputations built over years—if not decades. At our firm, we specialise in helping business owners not only remove these harmful reviews but also restore their good name. Here's how we helped one client fight back and reclaim control over their business identity.
Case study on fake business reviews
How fake online reviews can destroy your business reputation
How our law firm removes fake reviews and restores our client’s reputation
How we help business owners recover after online defamation
Key lessons for business owners dealing with fake and defamatory reviews
Case study on fake business reviews
When Jacob Green came to us, he was shaken. For over 30 years, he had built his auction house, Green Club Auction Ltd, into a trusted name in valuable art and memorabilia. But that hard-earned reputation was suddenly under attack.
Out of the blue, a wave of scathing online reviews appeared, accusing Jacob and his business of fraud and dishonest dealings. These weren’t just the odd unhappy customer—they were targeted, false, and clearly meant to destroy trust.
Jacob wasn’t just worried about bad press. His phone had stopped ringing. Clients cancelled appointments. Bids dropped off. This wasn’t just an attack on his business, it was personal- it hurt.
How fake online reviews can destroy your business reputation
Jacob’s story is, sadly, becoming more common. Online reviews can be powerful. They help people decide where to spend their money. When someone decides to misuse that power, it can spiral fast.
In Jacob’s case, the reviews were entirely false. Platforms like Google and MoneySavingExpert don’t check whether a review is true before it’s published. Suddenly, Jacob’s name was everywhere for the wrong reasons, and he was left feeling helpless.
The emotional toll was just as serious. Jacob told us he felt embarrassed, anxious and isolated. Years of pride in his work had been shaken by a few anonymous posts.
How our law firm removes fake reviews and restores our client’s reputation
From the start, we knew this needed urgent attention. We acted quickly to find out exactly what was being said, where it was posted, and how to challenge it.
We got to work on removing the most damaging, defamatory online reviews, drawing on over 20 years of experience dealing successfully with internet platforms and their legal teams. Each platform handles these situations differently, and we know how to navigate them. In some cases, we’ve had to threaten legal action; in others, we’ve negotiated directly with in-house lawyers. Our approach is always persuasive and thorough, showing clearly that our client’s case is genuine and the reviews are most likely malicious—often posted by competitors.
For each review, we build a strong argument that highlights the lack of credibility and the corrupt motive behind the post. Sometimes we’ll request that platforms provide user information or at least confirm they’ve verified and communicated with the reviewer. In other instances, we work closely with the platform to send a pre-action letter to the reviewer on our behalf. We always follow up to see whether there has been a reply. In almost every case, there is no response, which strengthens our position and usually leads to the review being deleted. It's not as simple as clicking "report". You need to make a legal case for why the content breaks the law, and you need to present it in the right way to get results. That’s where we come in.
Once the worst content was taken down, we turned our focus to protecting Jacob's reputation long-term. We helped him sign up for our ongoing monitoring service, which alerts us to future attacks so we can act before they snowball. It’s a bit like an early warning system, giving him peace of mind and helping him feel back in control.
How we help business owners recover after online defamation
For us, this wasn't only about fighting posts on the internet. It was about helping someone get their business back—something they had worked hard to build long before the days of the internet. Jacob had invested his whole working life and finances into his company. Defamation cases like his aren’t just legal problems—they affect wellbeing, personal relationships, and livelihood.
That’s why we worked closely with Jacob, keeping him involved and supported throughout. He wasn’t just a case file, he was a dedicated business owner trying to protect what mattered most. Our goal was to create the space for Jacob to get back to doing what he does best: focusing on his business. We are proud to help make that possible.
Key lessons for business owners dealing with fake and defamatory reviews
This case shows how serious online defamation can be, especially when it hits both a business and the person behind it. It also shows how important it is to get the right support quickly.
For business owners, there are a few important lessons to take away. Firstly, don’t ignore suspicious or malicious reviews—even a single negative post can quickly escalate. Second, every platform responds differently, so trying to tackle this on your own can waste precious time. Some platforms require formal legal notices, while others will act if the right arguments are made in the right tone. Understanding these differences is key.
It’s also essential to act early. If you wait, the damage can multiply, and clients may already start to question your reputation. Legal action might not always be the first step, but being prepared to take it often opens doors.
Most importantly, know that help is available. If you’re in a similar situation, you don’t have to face it alone. We understand how damaging false reviews can be, and we know how to fight back. Whether it’s removing defamatory content, managing reputation, or simply giving clear advice, we’re here to help you take back control and refocus on what matters—running your business.