how to stop a fake online reviews harassment campaign
What to do when a defendant retaliates through defamatory and harassing online reviews.
A disgruntled individual is flooding the internet with fake reviews and false claims
When an adversary retaliate online following legal action
Fake reviews and online defamation as a form of revenge
Legal response to retaliatory defamation and harassment
Removing defamatory reviews from Google and Facebook
What to do if you’re facing online retaliation or fake reviews
How to restore your online reputation after a defamation attack
A disgruntled individual is flooding the internet with fake reviews and false claims
More and more, we’re seeing a troubling tactic unfold: someone who is being held accountable legally decides to strike back, not in court, but online.
Rather than face the issues through proper legal channels, they launch revenge-fuelled campaigns, flooding the internet with fake reviews and false claims aimed at ruining someone’s name.
In this case, we reveal how we helped a dental clinic owner stand strong against this kind of retaliation and reclaim her professional reputation after a tenant tried to destroy it following a lawful eviction notice.
When an adversary retaliate online following legal action
Our client, a senior orthodontist we’ll call Dr Samantha Blake, ran a respected dental and aesthetics clinic in West London.
The building included a flat above the clinic, which she and her husband had sublet to a tenant named Lauren. From the beginning, Lauren’s behaviour was troubling- disruptive noise, anti-social conduct and incidents that alarmed both patients and staff.
When the couple finally served legal notice to end her tenancy, Lauren retaliated in the most damaging way she could think of: by attacking their reputation online.
Fake reviews and online defamation as a form of revenge
Lauren began posting scathing reviews about Dr Blake, her clinic, and even her husband. None of the accusations related to genuine treatment or service- in fact, Lauren had never been a patient.
She used platforms like Google Maps and Facebook business reviews to paint a false picture of the clinic as unprofessional and even abusive. To make matters worse, Lauren enlisted her friends and colleagues to do the same, encouraging a pile-on of negative reviews from people who had never stepped foot in the building.
This is a pattern we’re seeing more and more frequently: a person involved in a legal dispute starts using online platforms to exact revenge or intimidate the other party, hoping to cause reputational damage or pressure them into withdrawing their legal claim.
Legal response to retaliatory defamation and harassment
Dr Blake and her husband initially tried to reason with Lauren directly- that only escalated matters. Lauren responded by accusing them of harassment and even reported them to the police, while continuing to stir further online abuse.
That’s when they contacted us. We specialise in internet defamation, online harassment, and removal of fake Google and Facebook reviews, and we recognised the seriousness of the issue straight away. We immediately issued a formal cease and desist letter, making it clear that Lauren’s actions breached the Defamation Act 2013, the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and could amount to malicious falsehood.
We also informed Lauren that she had 14 days to remove the false reviews and cease all further defamatory publication- or we would escalate matters through court. Simultaneously, we contacted Google and Facebook, providing legal arguments and evidence that the reviews were false, malicious, and in breach of platform terms.
Removing defamatory reviews from Google and Facebook
Our intervention worked. Lauren removed her reviews and persuaded her friends to take theirs down as well. While she continued to be uncooperative by refusing to sign a formal undertaking or apology, our goal had been achieved: the false and damaging content was gone, and no further defamatory reviews were posted.
What to do if you’re facing online retaliation or fake reviews
If you're taking someone to court- whether over a tenancy dispute, business disagreement, or another legal matter- there’s always a risk they might try to hit back not in court, but on the internet. Fake reviews, misleading social media posts, and false claims are all common tools of retaliation. These are often used to pressure you into backing down or to tarnish your name out of spite.
This reminds us of another case, slightly different where the offender used fake and defamatory spread of information online as a strategic tool against the victim during legal proceedings. In that case, the offender had created a vast campaign of defamation and harassment aimed to put pressure on the respondent in a civil case. You can read the case here: Defamation as a tool during legal proceedings.
You’re not powerless. Under UK law, this kind of conduct may fall under defamation, harassment, or misuse of private information. Each of these has its own legal framework, and you may be able to take swift action to stop the abuse and restore your reputation.
Time is important to remember that there’s a 12-month limitation period to bring a defamation claim, starting from the date the content was first published. That’s why it’s important to get legal advice as soon as any damaging material appears online.
How to restore your online reputation after a defamation attack
At Cohen Davis Solicitors, we have deep expertise in stopping online harassment and defamation, especially when it’s part of a larger campaign of intimidation or revenge.
Whether it’s from a former tenant, employee, partner or competitor, we can help you act quickly to remove damaging content and protect your reputation.
If someone is trying to punish you for standing up for your rights by attacking you online, don’t wait. Contact our team for expert support.