Restaurants have been noticing declines in their review status on such sites at Yelp and Google. Apparently, some of it is the work of extortionists who are demanding ‘gift cards’. Sort of like pesky ransomware. What is a restaurant owner to do? This is sad, sick, and disgusting! Scammers Are Threatening NYC Restaurants With 1-Star Reviews in Exchange for Online Gift Cards - Eater NY
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Nothing new about this.
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Perhaps nothing new, but why do we allow it to go on. It’s so damn stupid! I say, restaurant owners should just let it be, report to the police, if possible. Why do Yelpers feel so empowered? Much of what is posted on Yelp is nonsense and infantile…
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It’s not exclusive to Yelp, people also use blogs to try to extort restaurants.
Just one of the many costs of online anonymity.
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Picking up a tab for media meal is nothing new. It runs rampant in the business. However, it does put into question the story’s validity once published. Also, if a blogger or some such is actually extorting or threatening, the restaurant owner should expose that person and media outlet right away…
By the way, if it is about a gift card, can’t that card be keyed?