Everyone that has become a VICTIM of RIPOFFREPORT please file a complaint with the FTC!
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
Rip off Report must be stopped. It is unlawful!
RIP OFF REPORT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED!
February 27, 2010Accusations that Rip-Off Report just an Extortion Business
August 28, 2008
Accusations that Rip-Off Report just an Extortion Business
Posted by randfish on Wed (1/16/08) at 01:46 AM Google
One of the most interesting stories to catch my eyes in the last few months was this exposé from Chris Bennet at 97th Floor – Google, Your Honeymoon with Rip Off Report Has to Stop. Looking through Chris’ detailed research into the practices of the website and perusing some of the appalling accusations made about the business and its founder, it’s shocking that the domain continues to retain its authority.
Here’s the basic gist of Chris’ arguments:
- The website – Rip Off Report – essentially earns a living through extortion of businesses based on the search results (almost like a reverse reputation management campaign).
- Because the site ranks well at Google (Yahoo!, Live, and Ask appear not to give it as much weight), companies whose profiles appear on the site must pay the owner to have the information removed or have administrative comments added that an issue was resolved or the complaint was found to be false.
- It would appear that content creators unfamiliar with the English language, yet very familiar with keyword stuffing, create many of the negative profiles on the site (ostensibly to help them rank better in the search engines so they will have a greater negative impact on the businesses they list).
- The site even features bizarre allegations (supposedly from a 16 year old girl) that Google’s founders propositioned her and another underage girl.
Certainly, if you visit the site (which I won’t link to directly), you’ll note the exaggerated style and tone of the content suggests a less-than-professional organization. The site proudly claims not to investigate the comments left by its visitors, and one is forced to wonder if Rip Off Report will truly investigate once a business pays them (or whether they simply remove the listing or add their “all’s well” commentary).
Beyond the ethics, I have to say that it’s a fascinating business model from an SEO perspective – integrating the negative linkbait pull of trashing a business or person as a link acquisition technique, using the link weight to rank well for company names, then forcing them to pay in order to “mitigate” their bad publicity through search engines. Honestly, I’m surprised that someone like Matt Cutts hasn’t taken action against the site – it would seem to fit well within his usual definition of manipulating Google.
I think more investigation of the site might be warranted – just a few quick searches led me down a fascinating tale of dodged court appearances, paranoia, default judgments, and violent threats. Here’s a few gems:
- The Phoenix Sun Times – The Real Rip Off Report – the reporter’s meeting with ROR’s owner is almost hard to believe, and the number of businesses paying thousands each month (if accurate) make this one of the most profitable black/gray hat SEO concepts I’ve ever heard.
- Eric Goldman – Rip Off Report Gets Mixed Ruling – it would appear that the site does have the ability to operate legally, though Chris’ blog post certainly suggests that the owners themselves are behind much of the content (and thus would have to answer for it). That portion of the case (suggesting that the owners created the libelous content) is still proceeding in Arizona.
- A video from Florida - WSVN on Rip-Off Report – showing fairly compelling evidence that the site does indeed extort businesses by offering to turn bad reports into positive ones for a fee.
BTW – I’m not sure why Chris didn’t mention it, but as far as Google’s TOS violations go, it would appear that they’re also selling paid link advertising and passing link juice (the banners in the top right corners don’t have nofollows).
Rip Off Report Founder Ed Magedson Internet Extortionist
August 28, 2008Rip Off Report Founder Ed Magedson Internet Extortionist
By the Good Business Bureau
Updated January 30, 2008
PUBLIC WARNING:Ed Magedson of RipOffReport.com is a WANTED criminal that extorts individuals that have posted on RipOffReport.com and legitimate companies for money and he may be operating one of the biggest criminal enterprises ever created on the Internet and it is being perpetrated by a group of criminals with a track record of fraudulent activity. For more ground breaking information on how he operates his fraudulent scheme, please visit The Bureau of Ethical Internet Commerce, www.ezripofflawsuit.com and www.bad-business-rip-off.com
The public is being warned NOT to post anything on RipOffReport.com or BadBusinessBureau.com. Ed Magedson, founder of RipOffReport.com is a convicted criminal. DO NOT take part in his fraudulent activities. It is against the law for ANYONE to use and promote ANY company without the company’s written permission. RipOffReport.com does not tell you that postings can’t be deleted and YOU CAN BE SUED for doing it!!! Click here to view Ed Magedson’s police photo
Click here to view a WSVN Fox Television Report exposing Ed Magedson and the Rip Off Report
RipOffReport.com has received defamatory material and fake complaints and published such slander on their site, without checking of the legitimacy of such complaints. Ed Magedson is also known for adding fake complaints on his website at ripoffreport.com & badbusinessbureau.com. He clearly likes to show his ways of editorial control and fraudulent activities. Consumers should not judge any company based on postings at RipOffReport.com because they are not checked for legitimacy & accuracy.
One company said in a statement last August that it sued Ed Magedson of Ripoffreport.com and obtained a $10 million default judgment against him. Ed Magedson, however, has yet to pay them any money.(see news report click here)
The public is being warned NOT to post anything on RipOffReport.com or BadBusinessBureau.com. It is against the law for ANYONE to use and promote ANY company. RipOffReport.com does not tell you that postings can’t be deleted and YOU CAN BE SUED for doing it!!!
There is a BIG financial reward for information being offered on the whereabouts of Ed Magedson of ripoffreport.com. So far, he has been impossible to trace. According to information obtained from the Florida Department of Corrections, Edward Magedson, FDC offender #865906 and founder of ripoffreport.com & badbusinessbureau.com has been listed as a FUGITIVE. (see doc, click here)
As per detectives hired, the following information was obtained…
- ED MAGEDSON DRIVES A 1986 PONTIAC.
- ED MAGEDSON’S DRIVER’S LICENSE IS NOT VALID.
- ED MAGEDSON DOES NOT HAVE ANY UTILITIES UNDER HIS NAME.
- ED MAGEDSON HAS NO RESIDENCE UNDER HIS NAME.
- ED MAGEDSON HAS A FEW LAWSUITS OUT OF FLORIDA AND DIFFERENT STATES IN THE US.
- ED MAGEDSON HAS A FEW UNSATISFIED JUDGEMENTS AGAINST HIM.
- ED MAGEDSON IS IN HIDING!
Ed Magedson was previously arrested on the following charges…
- Marijuana possession & paraphernalia, (see doc, click here)
- Check fraud (see doc, click here )
- Assault & Battery (see doc, click here)
- Default Judgment $30,041.21, (see doc, click here)
Victims of Rip Off Report Please Read!
August 27, 2008First of all Rip off Report is a complete joke. This is a site that was created to blackmail companies not to help consumers. There may be some validity to some posts, but most posts are posted to degrade, slander and humiliate people and companies. These posts are usually created by ex-employees, unstable relationships, company competitors, etc. Rip Off Report victims spend thousands of dollars to have their report removed from Google, which for some reason the rip off report ALWAYS RANKS FIRST ON GOOGLE.
Please read below from Andy Beal at Marketing Pilgrim:
Ripoff Report Ripping Off Those Reported?
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008;
– Andy Beal |
Chris Bennett of 97th Floor is being unfairly trashed by Ripoff Report, and he’s not the only one.
In case you’re not familiar with Ripoff Report–you may wish to pray that you never have to be familiar with them–the site exists as a platform to allow consumers to air their gripes, complaints, and allegations about a business. Unfortunately, Ripoff Report appears to exist purely to make money from the various negative postings and it’s a rare occurrence to see something negative removed–even when resolved.
Both Chris and Rand Fishkin provide an excellent breakdown of some of the questionable tactics used by Ripoff Report–each concluding that Rip Off Report is doing its best to make money off of negative reviews.
Unfortunately, when you help individuals and business with their online reputation management, it’s very common to see a Ripoff Report listing for them. Sure, you could argue that the company deserved the complaint–that may be true in some cases. But I’d challenge you to show me evidence that Ripoff Report is completely unbiased and willing to remove, or substantially update negative complaints that were subsequently resolved.
In fact, I could probably show you as many complaints that appear to be completely fabricated, as there are legitimate complaints. Take this one for instance. Do you really think Google’s Sergey Brin would try to lure a 16 year old girl to a hotel?
So, what can you do if you should find yourself the “victim” of a Ripoff Report? Well, unless you have deep pockets–which is rumored to be about the only way out–you should try and push the negative listing down on Google, by creating your own positive web content.
I wouldn’t hold your breath though. As both Chris and Rand point out, Google seems to have a strong infatuation for Ripoff Report content. Who know’s why, especially when you consider what Rand discovered:
…as far as Google’s TOS violations go, it would appear that they’re also selling paid link advertising and passing link juice (the banners in the top right corners don’t have nofollows).
Who knows if my name will now magically appear on Ripoff Report. I guess it’s a risk worth taking to join the chorus of those lobbying Google to follow Microsoft’s and Yahoo’s lead and remove any web content that adds no value to the web.
What do you think? If you believe Google should take action against false complaints, blog about it and let your voice be heard by Matt Cutts!
(Note: Due to the sensitive nature of this post, we reserve the right to remove anonymous comments.)
