Reputation Changer: Scam Sightings Have Upturned the Online Landscape

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent Fox Business report relates a feeling that, for many online consumers, ought prove familiar—the feeling of visiting a website, finding that something about it seems a little "off," and wondering if it might be some sort of a scam. Online scams have been ever-present threats since the very dawn of the Internet, and, as the Web has matured and expanded, so have the opportunities for duplicity and deceit. The Fox Business article notes that there are now many apps that users can use to help them detect scams, but what the article best illustrates is just how much the presence of online scams has altered the Internet landscape. The article has won the attention of Reputation Changer, a company zealous for protecting consumers—and companies—from the double-edged sword of Internet scam sightings.

Fox Business makes it clear that online consumers are growing increasingly wary of scams, but, according to Reputation Changer, Internet scams are not always as clear as one might assume. The company has issued a new statement to the press, in which Chief Executive Officer Cliff Stein responds to the article and also comments on the broader trends that pertain to Internet hoaxes and cons. "At Reputation Changer, scam allegations are taken as exceedingly serious matters," he explains. "We understand that, if something really is a scam, it can prove disastrous for consumers, and it is imperative that these scams be exposed and consumers protected."

With that said, Stein says that scam allegations cut both ways. "Sometimes, a business or brand is accused of fraudulent of dishonest activity, when in fact nothing shady or sinister has transpired at all," he notes. "At Reputation Changer, scam accusations have been known to break businesses down, to all but ruin them. If you are running a legitimate business and you are suddenly hit with a scam allegation, the effects can be lethal."

In fact, those effects can cut right to the business' bottom line. Stein says that he has seen businesses destroyed by these scam accusations. "A business that is the subject of scam rumors will surely see that its sales are declining, it is losing customers, and it is maybe even experiencing increased levels of refund requests and chargebacks," remarks Stein. "Consumers are turning more and more to online search engines, and if they find that a brand is associated with scam activity, they are unlikely to give it any kind of a chance."

The Reputation Changer CEO goes on to note that businesses and brands are never totally impervious to scam allegations. "No matter what industry you are in or how honest your business is run, this can absolutely happen to you," says Stein. "We see many business owners who believe that, if they just make sure their products and services are on the level, that they treat consumers well and stay away from shady activity, scam allegations will never happen to them. Sadly, this is not true."

According to Stein, the freedom of expression afforded by the Internet means that no business is ever fully safe. "Scam allegations can be planted by business competitors, or even by angry and hostile ex-employees," Stein cautions. While businesses cannot do anything to keep people from posting scam allegations, they can protect themselves, via the services of a reputation management firm.

"At Reputation Changer, our job is to present the client's brand as a brand of choice among consumers," Stein offers. "What that means is that we will work tirelessly and passionately for our clients, seeking to ensure that scam allegations are neutralized and that an online search turns up only positive, brand-enhancing information."

ABOUT:

Founded in 2009 by an elite team of Internet marketing professionals, Reputation Changer has come to be regarded as the world's leading reputation defense service. Offering services to companies and individuals alike, Reputation Changer is passionate for giving brands and people control over how they are portrayed on the Internet. The company's clients include Fortune 500 brands, elected officials, small businesses, and more.

SOURCE Reputation Changer LLC