Disputed Facebook review row

As bogus reviews continue to flood social media, it is little wonder that the Raw Deal mailbag bulges every week with complaints about rip-off goods and services.

Facebook has been accused of failing to stop the sale of fake reviews through its website more than a month after being urged to act on the issue by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

It is estimated that more than 75% of UK internet users consider online reviews when choosing what to buy.

This means billions of pounds of people’s spending is influenced by reviews every year.

Consumer group Which? claimed its own investigation had found a number of groups on Facebook that were still attempting to recruit people to write fake reviews after the CMA had raised its concerns.

It called on the watchdog to now consider taking action against the social media network over the issue.

Which? said that as part of its investigation it joined 10 of the review groups on Facebook and witnessed more than 55,000 posts being added over a 30-day period, with sellers offering free products in exchange for highly rated reviews for products listed elsewhere online.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of products, said: “Our latest findings demonstrate that Facebook has systematically failed to take action while its platform continues to be plagued with fake review groups generating thousands of posts a day.

“The CMA must now consider enforcement action.”

Facebook said it had removed most of the groups reported to it and was investigating further.