![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/warning-over-medical-clinics-using-fake-google-reviews/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/3faff9d09d8428939cb2469d61a48a21.jpeg&description=Emma investigating fake Google reviews Medical clinics are using fake Google reviews to boost their profiles online, a BBC investigation has found. Consumer groups say fake reviews are a "significant and persistent problem" and have called on internet firms to do more to remove them and fine companies. Which? has warned it could be a serious issue if someone chooses a treatment clinic based on reading a fake review. The government said it was toughening the law to protect consumers, while Google said it removed fake reviews. Fake reviews can be bought online and have been known to appear on Amazon, Trustpilot and the App Store . One of the companies the BBC's investigation examined was the Ipswich Spine Clinic run by Dr Amit Patel. The clinic had a 4.9 star rating on Google reviews. Reviews left on Google for firms highly recommended them to customers But our investigation found a number of people who had given this clinic five stars on Google, had also reviewed 16 of the same business in the US, Australia, Austria and Canada, for products as diverse as property conveyancing, car repairs, and hookah pipes. One of the fake customers wrote: "Dr Amit was brilliant…he assessed my injury quickly and came up with a treatment plan, I felt that I was in safe hands and highly recommend this place". We also found that five people who had rated Ipswich Spine Clinic highly, posted negative comments on one of their local competitors. Getting answers When we contacted the clinic, Dr Amit Patel told us he had outsourced his marketing to a company in India, and hadn't been aware of the reviews posted on Google. He said since being contacted by the BBC he had asked for reviews which were not genuine to be taken down. Our investigation also looked at Smiles Better dentistry business in Manchester. Emma Vardy visited one of the firms in Manchester One reviewer Rose Bellamy wrote "I'm so happy with my new smile. Super fast service and everyone was so helpful and kind". But in the same){kind=link}
Medical clinics are using fake Google reviews to boost their profiles online, a BBC investigation has found.
Consumer groups say fake reviews are a “significant and persistent problem” and have called on internet firms to do more to remove them and fine companies.
Which? has warned it could be a serious issue if someone chooses a treatment clinic based on reading a fake review.
The government said it was toughening the law to protect consumers, while Google said it removed fake reviews.
Fake reviews can be bought online and have been known to appear on Amazon, Trustpilot and the App Store.