Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) raised a stark warning for online shoppers Saturday, noting the rising frequency of fraudulent product reviews before Cyber Monday.
“With Cyber Monday coming up, consumers should beware of fake reviews,” Pallone said on X, formerly Twitter. “Fortunately, the FTC is working to stop businesses from using fake or paid-for positive reviews. This is an important step in protecting consumers and honest small businesses.”
Sites like Amazon, eBay and other common retailers are frequently bombarded by fake reviews, making illegitimate products look trustworthy.
A coalition of online retailers and service providers committed to weeding out the fakes last month, including Glassdoor, Trustpilot, Expedia Group and Booking.com.
The Federal Trade Commission also issued a similar warning last month, committing to a crackdown on the practice, also targeting disguised advertising.
“The rise of social media has blurred the line between authentic content and advertising, leading to an explosion in deceptive endorsements across the marketplace. Fake online reviews and other deceptive endorsements often tout products throughout the online world,” the FTC said in a press release.
Monday marks one of the largest shopping days of the year, as major retailers cut prices and shoppers brace for the holiday season.