Submitted by Driven Auto Repair: We want to take a moment to share something important that recently happened to us — and that could happen to any local business.
Recently, we received a sudden wave of 1-star reviews that did not come from real customers. Shortly after, someone contacted us claiming they could “remove the reviews” if we paid them. This is a review blackmail scam — a growing problem affecting many honest businesses.
Here’s what we’ve learned and want everyone to know:
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The reviews are fake. Scammers create multiple fake accounts to post negative ratings.
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Their goal is extortion. They demand money or “service fees” to delete the reviews.
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Never pay or engage. Paying only encourages more scams.
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Report and document everything. Platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook have tools to report fraudulent or extortion-based reviews.
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Customers can help. If you notice a flood of suspicious reviews on a local business, please flag them or leave your own honest feedback to help offset the damage.
We’re sharing this experience to help other business owners and community members know not to panic — and never to pay scammers. By staying alert and supporting legitimate businesses, we can make these schemes less effective.
Thank you for your ongoing trust and support. Your real feedback and encouragement make all the difference.
Warm regards,
Driven Auto Repair
TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected]
I see the last 1 star review the guy says “see my profile business owner contact me all delete one star review” and his phone number is the image of his profile picture.
This comment has nothing to do with this article but I’ll put money down a loi yutzlach or 2 will glance at it.
Reviews. Google reviews.
Look at the local eateries and you’ll find people kvetching. Direct, critical and most of all harmful.
Fully hypothetical story……
Imagine you were sitting by a kiddush with your friends. Youre talking about the new restraunt by the corner of new Hampshire and cedar bridge.
“Yo avigdor you heard about the new restaurant” chaim said
“Waaaa?”
“Ye it’s called Fress”
“Foods aight?”
“Eh playdoughs more the word.”
“There getting any business?”
“Ye they looked pretty packed”
Kloynamis pipes up “Eh it’s cause of all their deals”
“Waaaa?” Avigdor piped in
“Ye the guy’s mamash a gadol in marketing.” Kloynamis started his rant “If you crash at the intersection you get free food for a week. All you gotta do is bring in the police report.”
“Woooow” Avigdor gurguled “I think I’m going to suggest that route to my wife”
“Na” chaim coughed on his third blob of ptcha. “That place is nasty. Mamish meyis. Like I’d rather starve. They say the bathrooms are worse than walmart”
“Why are we hating on Walmart bathrooms?” Avigdor raised an eye brow.
“Avigdor get a grip”
Random guy with a fitted custom suit that looked a little too expensive to have a massive cholent stain on it, rumbled into the room.
“That’s the owner” chaim whispered
The random guy sits down next to Avigdor.
Avigdor nodded at him. Random guy nodded back. Avigdor nodded back.
The silence was Hella awkward.
It happened all at once.
“Yo what happened to my daughter’s schnitzel sandwich, there was barely any sauce”
“Why did your manager give me an attitude when I ordered 5 minutes after closing.”
“You have to disclose that fender benders don’t get you a discount.”
“My shvigger was waiting on line for an hour”
Random guy puts his head down and walks out the door.
My fellow residents of this buetiful city.
A city of chesed, a city of achdus.
Why do we allow this loophole of reviews.
Why are there any negative reviews on restraunts? If you don’t like the food service ombionce or workers just don’t go. You aren’t helping anyone stay away. You don’t like it, somebody else will.
If the first part of the comment had a few jokes this second part is real. Heart to heart to my holy brothers and sisters.
Please, please and please. If you ever think of writing a bad review. Imagine you were sitting next to the owner with a couple dozen friends. Would you say what just typed from the comfort of your car.
Just cause you can’t scream at the cook in your house when she burns the cholent doesn’t mean you should take it out on Mr. Cholent stain.
Case closed.
Isn’t that called Loshon Hora?
I only do good reviews! #localguide #THK #IYKYK
That is terrible!! I can attest, from many first hand experiences, that Driven is probably the best place in town to get your car repaired. They are professional, honest, do good thorough work and charge fairly.
What a terrible thing! I’m in sad amazement that people are so devious. I hope your business doesn’t suffer financially from this and I will certainly keep you in my prayers.
I believe a body shop in the area was recently targeted by the same type of scam.
I wonder if it’s the same guys.
A freind of mine’s business had this because he wouldn’t give his business to a marketing company.