Archive for the
‘KwikChex In The Media’ Category

Journalist contacted KwikChex for information

29th August 2023

Gravamen Consultants, Helsingborgs Dagblad, KwikChex, KwikChex in the media, timeshare

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, News

The Helsingborgs Dagblad newspaper recently published a warning about the UK-registered company, Gravamen Consultants Ltd. The article calls attention to the plight of Swedish couple Ingrid and Lars-Göran Ljunggren, who paid Gravamen Consultants to help exit their timeshare contract and recover monies. Journalist Mikael Brandt reached out to KwikChex for further information. Here is a […]

Trustpilot removed over 20,000 reviews from one profile after KwikChex investigation

23rd June 2023

Cryptocurrency, Investments, KwikChex, Nova Wallet, The Mirror, Trustpilot, VSolidus, VST Enterprises

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, KwikChex Investigations, News

After an investigation by KwikChex and an article in The Mirror, Trustpilot has removed over 20,000 reviews from one business profile. The KwikChex investigation revealed how crypto business Nova Wallet has rocketed to the top of Trustpilot’s UK Banking and Money category, with 23,000 reviews. The investigation then followed a trail of technology businesses, all […]

KwikChex works with BBC again on travel Rip Off investigation

10th January 2023

BBC, Easy Consulting, KwikChex, KwikChex in the media, Rip Off Britain, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, BBC, KwikChex In The Media, News

KwikChex has just appeared on BBC TV again, having helped the Rip Off Britain team with investigations into Easy Consulting and the many brands they use. For years, Easy Consulting and the many different bargain holiday brands they use, which operate out of Alicante in Spain, have targeted UK consumers with cold-calls and online marketing. […]

KwikChex featured in Mirror article about timeshare

31st March 2022

KwikChex, The Mirror, timeshare, www.mirror.co.uk

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, News

‘In a world absolutely saturated with fraud, timeshare owners are the most specifically targeted group’ – KwikChex Mirror investigative reporter Andrew Penman tracks down fugitive who preyed on vulnerable timeshare owners – and provides advice to owners from KwikChex. Read the article on The Mirror website here.

KwikChex and Veri-Good hitting the news – it’s the start of the Reviewlution!

25th February 2022

KwikChex, MBL.is, Mirror Online, Online Information Integrity, skift, The Sunday Times, Travolution, Veri-Good

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, News

Recent days have seen increasing online and print coverage of KwikChex’s continuing work to increase Online Information Integrity (OII). Articles have already appeared in UK newspapers featuring KwikChex investigations into the way fraudsters use fake reviews as a part of their deceptions, including massively in currency trading (Forex and Cryptocurrency) scams – and now the […]

The Times features KwikChex in TripAdvisor article – and first coverage of Veri-Good

14th February 2022

KwikChex, Times, tripadvisor, Veri-Good

KwikChex In The Media, News

Multiple award-winning journalist Chris Haslam has published an article in the Times and Sunday Times, querying once again whether online travel reviews can be trusted? It coincides with TripAdvisor’s announcement that the site has just passed 1 billion reviews. Chris Emmins, CEO of KwikChex was interviewed for the article and pointed out that for all […]

KwikChex featured in the Mirror following a joint investigation on cryptocurrency reviews on the Trustpilot site

11th February 2022

Andrew Penman, Cryptocurrency, Mirror, reviews, Trustpilot

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, KwikChex Investigations

On 10/02/22, KwikChex was featured in an article in the Mirror newspaper following a joint investigation on cryptocurrency reviews on the Trustpilot site. View the full PDF of the Mirror article here Or view text below – Credits: The Mirror, Andrew Penman How far can you trust a review on Trustpilot? Online platforms credibility […]

KwikChex celebrates 10 years of safeguarding with another appearance on BBC News

29th December 2020

All News/Blog, BBC, KwikChex In The Media, News

KwikChex celebrates 10 years of safeguarding with another appearance on BBC News and the removal of fake and malicious reviews from our client’s online profile. KwikChex CEO and co-founder Chris Emmins has once again featured on the BBC, tackling fake online reviews – 10 years after our very first appearance. In 2010, in our first […]

10 Extraordinary Years – 2012 – A landmark ruling against TripAdvisor is reported around the world after KwikChex files complaint

26th May 2020

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, feature, KwikChex In The Media

In February 2012 after challenging TripAdvisor over fake reviews for more than a year, a complaint submitted by KwikChex to the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) was upheld. In the ruling, phrases such as “reviews you can trust” and “reviews from real travelers” were judged to be misleading and TripAdvisor were instructed not to […]

10 Extraordinary Years – 2011 – Winning our first battle with Google

26th February 2020

BBC, Google, KwikChex

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, feature, KwikChex In The Media

Winning battles against tech giants is difficult even for the biggest companies with the deepest pockets. But in November 2011, KwikChex took on a case and did precisely that – less than a year after our business was founded.

10 Extraordinary Years – 2010 – our first year and our first TV appearance!

18th February 2020

10 Extraordinary Years, 2010, BBC, Click, Fake Reviews, KwikChex

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

The challenges KwikChex made against fake reviews got us noticed in the first few months of launching our services when we were invited to appear on BBC TV’s flagship technology programme ‘Click’. Spencer Kelly, host of the ‘Click’ programme visited our offices in Bournemouth and KwikChex director and founder Chris Emmins took him through the […]

KwikChex Hero Award Demonstrates the Value of Private Sector ‘Fraudbusters’

28th August 2019

business award, Chartered Institute of Trading Standards, CTSI, Fraudbusters, Fraudbusting, hero award, KwikChex, Trading Standards, Yahoo Finance

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, News

Yahoo Finance, 21st August 2019 The recent presentation of a ‘Hero Award’ by the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards (CTSI) to online investigations and verification business KwikChex highlighted the value of the private sector in fighting what has been an inexorable rise in fraud Since 2010, KwikChex has been fighting battles to help prevent harm […]

Pressure from KwikChex sees Just Eat improve on Food Hygiene – but more can be done to safeguard consumers

16th July 2019

BBC, food hygiene, Just Eat, KwikChex

All News/Blog, BBC, KwikChex In The Media, KwikChex Investigations, News

16/07/19 After a KwikChex-initiated BBC exposure of serious food hygiene issues, Just Eat will publish the food hygiene rating of every restaurant listed on its UK delivery platform from today. However there are still improvements that can be made. In the UK, whilst consumers will be able to see the official food hygiene rating for […]

Shut down: the company that took upfront fees from people desperate escape timeshare traps

16th February 2019

International Timeshare Refund Action, ITRA, KwikChex, shut down, Timeshare Business Check, Timeshare Task Force, wound up

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Mirror, By Andrew Penman, 14/02/19 Shut down: the company that took upfront fees from people desperate escape timeshare traps ‘International Timeshare Refund Action liquidated after ignoring court judgment’ ‘When ITRA ignored the judgment they took the case to the High Court to have it shut down, assisted by Kwikchex, an online business verification […]

Just Eat to start tackling food hygiene issues highlighted by KwikChex

23rd November 2018

BBC, food hygiene, Just Eat

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media, KwikChex Investigations

UK roll-out of displaying food hygiene ratings to commence with trial in Northern Ireland in early 2019 Following a joint KwikChex / BBC investigation, International takeaway food delivery giant Just Eat has responded to concerns over food safety by announcing it will start to publish the official food hygiene rating of each of its UK […]

These Gloucestershire restaurants with one-star food hygiene are on Just Eat

8th November 2018

consumer rights, food hygiene, Just Eat

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

The BBC TV News programme featuring the joint investigation with KwikChex on Just Eat food hygiene issues continues to attract attention, with UK local journalists picking up on the story. —- ‘These Gloucestershire restaurants with one-star food hygiene are on Just Eat’ www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk By Conor Gogarty 3 NOV 2018 ‘Consumer rights campaigner Chris Emmins said […]

KwikChex on BBC News once again!

18th October 2018

BBC, food hygiene, Just Eat

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media, KwikChex Investigations

Definitive research by KwikChex results in BBC News coverage of Just Eat serious food hygiene issues Work led by KwikChex head of research projects, Aria Maffei resulted in a BBC News investigation being aired on television and radio last night (Wednesday 17 October). The project commenced by comparing the reviews ratings displayed prominently on the […]

KwikChex on Channel 5’s ‘When teens kill’

17th July 2018

Channel 5, KwikChex, When Teens Kill

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, News

Chris Emmins, Co-founder of KwikChex, appears on Channel 5’s ‘When teens kill’ programme to advise on the potential dangers of online classified ads. It follows a previous KwikChex investigation into the risks of using Gumtree, which include fraud, theft and – as the programme shows, even the possibilty of serious assault / loss of life. […]

KwikChex Investigations reveal food hygiene issues within the new takeaway delivery boom.

12th July 2018

Bloomberg, food hygiene ratings, KwikChex, KwikChex Investigations, take away

All News/Blog, KwikChex In The Media, KwikChex Investigations, News

Bloomberg have published an article after KwikChex Investigations showed that take away delivery giants are delivering food to consumers from businesses with poor food hygiene ratings. This is part of a more substantial investigation by KwikChex , with further details to be made public soon. ‘Deliveroo and Uber Eats List Restaurants With Low Health Scores’ […]

KwikChex on BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates Online Reviews Under Fire Again

22nd June 2018

BBC, BBC 5 Live Investigates, BBC NEWS, BBC Radio, Chris Emmins, defamation, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, Online review, Online Reviews, Online Reviews for Sale, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, BBC, KwikChex In The Media, News

KwikChex has once again assisted BBC investigative journalists, providing information on problems with online reviews websites. Director and Co-Founder of KwikChex, Chris Emmins was also interviewed on Adrian Goldberg’s programme. – discussing how TripAdvisor prioritise Online Travel Agents (OTAs) that pay TripAdvisor in their search results. TripAdvisor now prefers consumers to see ‘deals’ from their OTA […]

KwikChex will be on BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates this Sunday

26th April 2018

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

KwikChex will be on BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates on Sunday 29th April at 11.00. It continues the long cooperation KwikChex has had with BBC investigations, both on TV and radio. We can’t tell you any more until after the broadcast, but it’s likely to be considered big news, so have a listen over Sunday […]

KwikChex in the media in 2016

KwikChex in the media in 2016

7th March 2017

BBC NEWS, KwikChex in the media

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

As usual, KwikChex had a good deal of media coverage during 2016, including the following TripAdvisor criticised after closed Tunisian terror hotel given top award https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/tripadvisor-under-fire-over-award-for-tunisian-hotel/ Telegraph.co.uk, 26 Feb 2016 TripAdvisor accused of unreliability https://www.trn-news.ru/news/35804 Travel Russian News (Russian language travel site), 26 Feb 2016 Between extortion and business interests, are sites as reliable as [...]

KwikChex quoted in The Caterer, regarding TripAdvisor unfairly penalising businesses

KwikChex quoted in The Caterer, regarding TripAdvisor unfairly penalising businesses

12th February 2017

KwikChex in the media, The Caterer, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Title: TripAdvisor denies unfairly penalising businesses for posting fraudulent reviews Credits: The Caterer, By Janet Harmer, 10th Feb 2017 'Action taken by TripAdvisor to put a stop to fraudulent postings on its online review site is often carried out unfairly and inconsistently, according to online reputation management firm, KwikChex.' 'Chris Emmins, co-founder of KwikChex, said [...]

KwikChex – some of the highlights of 2016

31st December 2016

2016, ASA, BBC, highlights 2016, KwikChex, Mirror, Sun, year review

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

For the video summary of our 2016 highlights on YouTube - click here January KwikChex in Middle East & Asia January saw KwikChex visiting clients and carrying out investigations in the UAE and Asia. We were once again particularly indebted to long term KwikChex clients and friends Max Hart and Dong Chi Thuy of [...]

KwikChex quoted in The Caterer – providing reputation advice for businesses considering participating in reality TV programmes

22nd December 2016

Channel 4, Four in a bed, Janet Harmer, KwikChex in the media, media, The Caterer

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

There have been a number of problems for businesses that have appeared in programmes such as Channel 4’s Four in a Bed, including subsequent attacks by internet trolls and malicious fake online reviews. In 2013, one participant in the same programme suffered serious and distressing harassment and requested assistance from KwikChex (see Caterer article https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/347564/police-called-in-to-investigate-abuse-aimed-at-participants-of-channel4-programme-four-in-a-bed). Defamatory [...]

KwikChex quoted in Mirror article -The Timeshare Consumer Association claims to be an independent consumer champion, but is it?

2nd December 2016

KwikChex, The Mirror, timeshare

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Mirror, By Andrew Penman, 1st Dec The Timeshare Consumer Association claims to be an independent consumer champion, but is it? 'Timeshare Consumer Association refuses to say who owns and runs it. The business vetting site Kwikchex approached the TCA, posing as a consumer wanting to sell a timeshare. “The response from the TCA [...]

The Sun highlights KwikChex exposure of fake reviews

23rd October 2016

Fake Reviews, Kathryn Cain, KwikChex, The Sun, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Sun, by Kathryn Cain ‘CHINESE fraudsters operating a sophisticated “fake reader factory” have taken down travel website TripAdvisor’s page on the country’s top social media app.’ ‘Two years ago a Bournemouth-based online reputation management company cast specific doubt on the integrity of TripAdvisor’s Chinese operation. Chris Emmins, co-founder of KwikChex, found some “amazingly […]

KwikChex help BBC Fake Britain team expose fake websites and reviews

30th August 2016

BBC, Fake Britain, KwikChex in the media

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Watch out for KwikChex on the BBC this Wednesday & Thursday. Helping the BBC Fake Britain team expose the use of fake websites and fake reviews. Wednesday 31st August BBC1 09:15 and Thursday 1st September BBC2 06:45 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07tl838 (KwikChex featured from 14 minutes in)

KwikChex assist in court case where couple win £7k

KwikChex assist in court case where couple win £7k

9th August 2016

KwikChex in the media, News

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Daily Mail – Thisismoney.co.uk By Alisha Rouse for Money Mail, 27 July 2016 Couple win £7,000 victory over faulty timeshare escape contract following 18-month legal battle ‘The Walkers’ victory is believed to be the first of its kind in Britain. Chris Emmins, founder of KwikChex, a company that investigates other firms and helped the […]

KwikChex on BBC Radio Humberside

25th May 2016

BBC Radio, BBC Radio Humberside Online reviews, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

BBC Radio Humberside Online reviews, fake reviews, TripAdvisor – includes interview with Chris Emmins, KwikChex. Listen here – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ts6nc (From 45 minutes).

Don’t refund online fraud victims, Met chief tells banks

24th March 2016

Guardian, internet security, online fraud

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Guardian, 24th March 2016 Bernard Hogan-Howe blames online theft on ‘bad behaviour’ of customers who have poor internet security and says focus should be on prevention. Banks should not refund victims of online fraud because it “rewards” them for being lax about internet security, the Metropolitan police commissioner has said. Above excerpts and read […]

KwikChex quoted in Telegraph article – TripAdvisor criticised after closed Tunisian terror hotel given top award

29th February 2016

Hugh Morris, KwikChex, Telegraph, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Telegraph By Hugh Morris TripAdvisor criticised after closed Tunisian terror hotel given top award The validity of TripAdvisor’s coveted Traveller’s Choice awards has been called into question after a 2016 recommendation was bestowed on the hotel in Tunisia where an Islamist terrorist attack left 30 British holidaymakers dead last summer. Chris Emmins from KwikChex, […]

KwikChex quoted in MailOnline article regarding Airbnb scams

20th February 2016

Daily Mail, KwikChex in the media, MailOnline

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Daily Mail, By Antonia Hoyle, 17 February 2016 Would you dare let a STRANGER sleep in your bed? Renting out your home on Airbnb is the latest middle-class wheeze. But you could also be in for a nasty surprise… ‘The crooks exploit a weak link in what should be a secure system,’ explains Chris […]

KwikChex feature in Talk Radio Europe radio programme about online reviews

3rd November 2015

interview, KwikChex, Online Reviews, Talk Radio Europe, www.kwikchex.com, www.talkradioeurope.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Talk Radio Europe – Bill Padley show KwikChex feature in Talk Radio Europe radio programme about online reviews. Listen to full interview by clicking here

KwikChex mention in Daily Mail article regarding online reviews

19th October 2015

CMA, Competitiion and Markets Authority, Daily Mail, investigation, KwikChex, Mail Online, Online review, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail Online By: Tom Rawstorne Disturbing proof the online review that made you book your holiday may be FAKE: Investigation reveals an entire industry is dedicated to generating bogus appraisals for cash ‘If you want to give a good impression or mislead consumers into trusting you, the best way to do it is to […]

KwikChex introduced as ‘white knight’ in Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio interview

14th September 2015

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC, KwikChex, online defamation, Online Reviews, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

KwikChex participates in Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) radio programme “Burned by Online Reviews”. KwikChex mentioned on CBC website – https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/ontario/ontario-today/ Link to podcast for CBC radio programme “Burned by Online Reviews” – https://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/ontariotoday_20150911_81823.mp3. KwikChex on between 25.54 and 34.44.

KwikChex quoted in Telegraph article – Can you trust online reviews?

KwikChex quoted in Telegraph article – Can you trust online reviews?

3rd September 2015

KwikChex, Online review, review, Telegraph, www.kwikchex.com, www.telegraph.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media, Online Defamation News

KwikChex mention in Daily Telegraph article about fake online reviews: KwikChex, an online investigations body, said it had identified and exposed thousands of online fake reviews, both negative and positive. A spokesman said: “Whilst that exposure has pressured some reviews sites to invest more in fraud detection, there are still many problems on a vast […]

KwikChex and BBC expose problems with Realistix Solutions product

KwikChex and BBC expose problems with Realistix Solutions product

KwikChex has once again been working with the BBC to highlight dangers to consumers. As part of the Timeshare Task Force initiative, KwikChex contacted the BBC 4 Radio You & Yours programme about a product known as Realistix Solutions. This is a product which is the subject of many consumer complaints. Consumers are approached with [...]

‘Sell your timeshare free’ website exposed over £3.5m refund claims

Selltimesharetoday continues to flout advertising rules after an investigation found its claims to be misleading. The original complaint brought forward by the Timeshare Task Force…Timeshare Task Force uses a reputation management firm known as “KwikChex” to challenge adverts for timeshare exit services that it thinks is misleading. Above excerpts and read the full article on […]

KwikChex warns of dangers to consumers using Gumtree in Daily Mail article

27th July 2015

Gumtree, KwikChex, Mail Online, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail Online By: Antonia Hoyle ‘Gumtree is unquestionably one of the favourite and most prolific resources used by criminals,’ says Chris Emmins, co-founder of KwikChex, an online investigations and authentication business. ‘It is inherently dangerous for consumers — both buyers and sellers — and the utmost caution is required when using it.’ Above excerpts [...]

Resort Management Direct exposed by the BBC consumer affairs programme You & Yours

Resort Management Direct exposed by the BBC consumer affairs programme You & Yours

21st July 2015

(RDO), About Timeshare, BBC, BBC Radio, Blaine Connell, RCI, Resort Management Direct, Timeshare Business Check, Timeshare Taskforce, You & Yours

All News/Blog, BBC, KwikChex In The Media, News

Resort Management Direct had been cold calling RDO members saying they were entitled to a free holiday. An admin fee of approximately £200 would apply. However consumers found the holidays near impossible to book and some were later advised that they needed to attend a presentation whilst on holiday. Refunds were never given. Blaine Connell, [...]

Fake Online Reviews – KwikChex works with BBC to expose Review Fraud

Fake Online Reviews – KwikChex works with BBC to expose Review Fraud

23rd June 2015

BBC, BBC Radio, KwikChex, Online Reviews, RADAR, reviews, www.bbc.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, BBC, KwikChex In The Media, News

KwikChex were featured on the 6 O’Clock BBC News after our investigations team worked with BBC reporters to uncover review fraud involving a Payday Loan company that had fake reviews posted on Trustpilot. The reviews used stolen identities – including one of a deceased young mother. KwikChex is now in the process of launching a […]

KwikChex on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show

KwikChex on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show

22nd June 2015

BBC Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show, CMA, Competition & Markets Authority, KwikChex, Online Reviews, reviews, www.bbc.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show Fake online customer reviews – includes interview with Chris Emmins, KwikChex. Above excerpts and read the full article on – www.bbc.co.uk From 1hr 56m Other BBC stories featuring KwikChex – Click here

KwikChex on BBC Radio London Breakfast Show

KwikChex on BBC Radio London Breakfast Show

22nd June 2015

BBC Radio, BBC Radio London Breakfast Show, KwikChex, KwikChex.com, Online Reviews, reviews, www, www.bbc.co.uk

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

BBC Radio London Breakfast Show Fake online customer reviews – includes interview with Chris Emmins, KwikChex. Above excerpts and read the full article on – www.bbc.co.uk From 2hr 20m Other BBC stories featuring KwikChex – Click here

KwikChex on BBC Show Victoria Derbyshire

KwikChex on BBC Show Victoria Derbyshire

22nd June 2015

BBC, BBC Radio, KwikChex, KwikChex.com, Online Reviews, reviews, Victoria Derbyshire, www, www.bbc.co.uk

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

BBC Show – Victoria Derbyshire Angus Crawford investigates fake online customer reviews – includes interview with Chris Emmins, KwikChex. Above excerpts and read the full article on – www.bbc.co.uk From 52.40 Other BBC stories featuring KwikChex – Click here

Holiday ‘fraud’ probe needs cash to bring prosecution

22nd June 2015

Central Marketing, Daily Echo, Elite Vacations, Frank Madden, Glenleigh Ltd, Glenleigh Promotions, KwikChex, Madden, Re Co Corp Ltd, timeshare, www.bournemouthecho.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Bournemouth Echo By: Steven Smith, Chief Reporter THE latest investigation into a convicted conman from Bournemouth is at “an advanced stage” – but Trading Standards officers face not being able to bring a prosecution because of the cost. Kwikchex, a Bournemouth-based firm that manages a website advising consumers regarding businesses that operate in the timeshare […]

Fake Online Reviews – KwikChex works with BBC to expose Review Fraud

Fake Online Reviews – KwikChex works with BBC to expose Review Fraud

19th June 2015

BBC, BBC NEWS, BBC Radio, KwikChex, Online Reviews, review fraud, www.bbc.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

KwikChex were featured on the 6 O’Clock BBC News after our investigations team worked with BBC reporters to uncover review fraud involving a Payday Loan company that had fake reviews posted on Trustpilot. The reviews used stolen identities – including one of a deceased young mother. KwikChex is now in the process of launching a […]

Investigators suspect fraudster still targeting elderly for scams – but, incredibly, say they can’t afford to prosecute after savage cuts

Credits: Daily Mail By: Sarah Bridge Mail on Sunday article about serial timeshare fraud offender Frank Madden reveals problems Trading Standards face – and includes how KwikChex is cooperating with them to assist investigations and prosecutions. All consumer reports to KwikChex and the Timeshare Task Force are also made available to the relevant authorities regardless […]

Mention of KwikChex regarding Skytrax

25th March 2015

ASA, investigation, KwikChex, skift, skift.com, SkyTrax, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Skift By: Marisa Garcia Skift.com refers to the KwikChex ASA complaint regarding Skytrax in it’s evaluation of Airline and Airport Awards Above excerpts and read the full article on www.skift.com

Lawyers ‘are using threats to stop negative client reviews’

6th March 2015

client reviews, Independent, KwikChex, Legal Services Board, LSB, Online Reviews, reviews, tripadvisor, www.independent.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Independent By: Chris Green Chris Emmins, co-founder of the online reputation management firm KwikChex, said customers who received legal letters should try not to panic. “For consumers that have genuine cause for complaint, they should not be intimidated by such threats,” he said. Above excerpts and read the full article on www.independent.co.uk

Is this TripAdvisor’s funniest ever review?

28th February 2015

funniest review, KwikChex, KwikChex.com, Online review, review, Telegraph, Telegraph Travel, tripadvisor, www, www.telegraph.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Telegraph Travel By: Oliver Smith Guest at a Scottish b&b says he had a brick thrown at his window and awoke to find the owner in bed with him – surely this crude review can’t be genuine? Above excerpts and read the full article on www.telegraph.co.uk

TripAdvisor: a history of complaints

25th November 2014

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, The Guardian, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com, www.theguardian.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Guardian By: Will Coldwell TripAdvisor’s fraught relationship with the travel industry. Mention of KwikChex’s group action against TripAdvisor over reviews believed unfair and damaging to businesses. Also investigation launched by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in 2011 into TripAdvisor after KwikChex filed a complaint on behalf of business owners upset at what they […]

KwikChex mention in a consumer warning article

30th September 2014

Energy Assessor Magazine, EPC, KwikChex, www.energyassessormagazine.com, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Energy Assessor Magazine KwikChex mentioned in this consumer warning regarding an 2012 investigation. Above excerpts and read the full article on www.energyassessormagazine.com

Timeshare con victims given £80k refund as Task Force tries to clean up industry’s tarnished reputation

15th September 2014

KwikChex, Mail On Sunday, refund, timeshare, Timeshare Business Check, Timeshare Task Force, TimeshareBusinesCheck, TimeshareTaskForce, www.kwikchex.com, www.thisismoney.co.uk, www.timesharebusinesscheck.org, www.timesharetaskforce.org

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Financial Mail on Sunday By: Sarah Bridge Another great report about KwikChex in the Sunday Mail. Further information available on our website www.timesharetaskforce.org Above excerpts and read the full article on www.thisismoney.co.uk

Mail On Sunday reports on KwikChex role in Timeshare Task Force

11th August 2014

Daily Mail, KwikChex, Mail On Sunday, timeshare, Timeshare Business Check, Timeshare Task Force, Timeshare Taskforce, www.kwikchex.com, www.thisismoney.co.uk, www.timesharebusinesscheck.org, www.timesharetaskforce.org

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail on Sunday By: Sarah Bridge Fears of bigger bills for timeshare owners stall EU’s war on rogue firms * Many timeshare owners now desperate to quit unwanted properties * Some contracts continue after death, with costs passing to children * EU plan to clean up industry on hold after claims it might make […]

KwikChex Client Kangaroo Cafe Tours, Vietnam featured on BBC Fast Track

Click Here to listen to the Interview (10 minutes in)

KwikChex on BBC consumer programme You & Yours – Right to be Forgotten laws

KwikChex on BBC consumer programme You & Yours – Right to be Forgotten laws

24th June 2014

BBC, BBC Radio, BBC Radio 4, defamation, KwikChex, Radio 4, reviews, right to be forgotten, www.kwikchex.com, You & Yours

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

KwikChex discusses the laws concerning outdated and irrelevant online reviews on BBC Radio 4 programme You & Yours. KwikChex is taking a number of new actions following recent rulings and changes in the laws, including applications under the Right to be Forgotten principles and defamation. We are also pursuing an international ethical campaign to improve […]

KwikChex featured on BBC Click

KwikChex featured on BBC Click

24th June 2014

BBC Click, BBC NEWS, BBC Radio, Carolyn Wimpenny, Cream Wedding Photography, fake review, Fake Reviews, Google, Google Maps, www.creamphoto.co.uk, www.creamphotoworkshops.com

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media, Online Defamation News

BBC Click – The BBC’s flagship technology programme What happens to a business when somebody deliberately fakes online feedback… Click Here to listen to the Interview

Phuket Property Watch: Just how real is real?

5th June 2014

KwikChex, Phuket, Phuket Gazette, Property, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com, www.phuketgazette.net

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Phuket Gazette By: Bill Barnett Another interesting site, KwikChex, is seizing an opportunity to lead the space in online reputation and internet defamation. Here, proof of quality is meant to assure customers that what they read online is credible and real. Above excerpts and read the full article on www.phuketgazette.net

TripAdvisor under fire for ‘fake’ reviews on China site

19th March 2014

China, Daodao, investigation, KwikChex, reviews, Travel Mole, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com, www.travelmole.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travel Mole TripAdvisor has removed at least 10,000 reviews from its Chinese website daodao following complaints that they were fake. Online reputation management company KwikChex is now calling for the site to be suspended until a “very thorough audit” can take place and new systems installed to better detect fraud. It claimed that the […]

TripAdvisor holds investigation after China site accused of suspicious activity

18th March 2014

China, Daodao, investigation, KwikChex, Online Reviews, reviews, Tnooz, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com, www.tnooz.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Tnooz By: Karthick Prabu Daodao, the local imprint of TripAdvisor in China, is the subject of an investigation after a damning report into the validity of its reviews. The report by KwikChex, the UK-based online reputation management company which has been a ongoing thorn in the side of the user review service for years, […]

Tripadvisor’s Chinese ‘super-reviewers’ post 51 hotel reviews a month

17th March 2014

KwikChex, post, review, super-reviewers online review, The Sydney Morning Herald, Tripadvisor Chinese, www.kwikchex.com, www.smh.com.au

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Sydney Morning Herald By: Jolyon Attwooll The authenticity of TripAdvisor reviews is under the spotlight again after new research revealed thousands of suspect postings on the Chinese version of the website. The study, carried out by Kwikchex, an “online reputation management” company that has been a regular critic of TripAdvisor, uncovered what it […]

TripAdvisor’s China website comes under fire

17th March 2014

KwikChex, Online Reviews, reviews, tripadvisor, TripAdvisor’s China website comes under fire, www.kwikchex.com, www.telegraph.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Telegraph By: Jolyon Attwooll New research has highlighted thousands of suspect reviews on the Chinese domain of TripAdvisor The authenticity of TripAdvisor reviews is under the spotlight again after new research revealed thousands of suspect postings on the Chinese version of the website. The study, carried out by Kwikchex, an “online reputation management” […]

TripAdvisor queried over erasing of hotel reviews

6th September 2013

hotel, Hotel Reviews, https://www.telegraph.co.uk, KwikChex, reviews, Telegraph, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Telegraph By: Natalie Paris ‘Reservations have been raised regarding TripAdvisor’s policy of erasing old reviews following a hotel’s renovation.’ ‘Reviews are only helpful if they have been written recently anyway, online investigation authentication service KwikChex argued this week.’ “KwikChex firmly believes that reviews over two years old on the TripAdvisor site serve no […]

Ziggy and TripAdvisor clash over ratings

14th August 2013

Halifax, Halifax Courier, KwikChex, reviews, tripadvisor, www.halifaxcourier.co.uk, Ziggy Hussain, Ziggys Spice House

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Halifax Courier ‘A Halifax businessman is at loggerheads with TripAdvisor after his restaurant rating slumped from from top spot to 122nd out of 136. TripAdvisor removed 280 reviews after its fraud detection systems indicated suspicious activity. But, Ziggy Hussain who runs Ziggy’s Spice House, said the huge growth in popularity is down to him […]

It’s the hotel review website that millions use to help choose their holiday. But… Can you trust a single word on Trip Advisor?

5th August 2013

Dexby Townhouse, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, Mail Online, Mark Palmer, Oscar's restaurant, tripadvisor, Ziggys Spice House

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail Online, By: Mark Palmer ‘By sharing all your experiences, you’re helping other travellers make better choices and plan their dream trips. That’s what you are told before posting a review of a hotel or restaurant on the website TripAdvisor. But better choices and dream trips don’t always come into it. You might just […]

Five-star fake: TripAdvisor prank fools foodies

30th July 2013

KwikChex, news.com.au, Oscar's restaurant, reviews, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: news.com.au ‘A BEAUTIFULLY restored boat serving Michelin-starred food. Divers on hand to catch any fish on the menu. Countless reviews describing the cooking as ‘simply divine’. This restaurant sounds too good to be true. Trouble is, it was. Because when dozens of foodies headed to Oscar’s to sample the ‘mind-blowing’ food after reading its […]

Fake restaurant on TripAdvisor sends diners to alley filled with garbage cans

30th July 2013

Fox News, KwikChex, Oscar's restaurant, tripadvisor, www.foxnews.com, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Fox News ‘Fake reviews of a restaurant named Oscar’s, billed as having “Michelin-starred food,” reportedly had diners looking for the eatery in an alley filled with garbage cans.’ ‘“The listing featured over-the-top reviews for a fake business, but it went undetected for more than two months,” Chris Emmins, co-founder of the online reputation management […]

Does this look like a Michelin-star restaurant to you? Diners fall for phantom eatery

30th July 2013

KwikChex, Oscar's restaurant, phantom eatery, review, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com, www.yahoo.com, yahoo

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Yahoo News UK & Ireland ‘The TripAdvisor profile for Oscar’s boasted that staff in diving gear would swim down to catch whatever fish the customer wanted’ ‘It was billed as one of the best places to eat in Britain with “amazing” and “mind blowing” Michelin-starred food on offer. And its setting sounded especially magical: […]

Floating restaurant where divers catch your supper? It all sounds a little fishy

30th July 2013

KwikChex, Oscar's restaurant, reviews, Telegraph, tripadvisor, www.kwikchex.com, www.telegraph.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Telegraph By: Victoria Ward ‘Its “mind-blowing” food was said to rival the best in the world while its romantic setting in the hull of a ship left awestruck diners raving about the experience.’ ‘With staff dressed in diving gear ready to catch whatever fish the customer ordered and a changing location dependent on […]

Five-star fake! TripAdvisor prankster fools the foodies: Disgruntled user posts spoof reviews in anger at site not being policed properly

30th July 2013

Eleanor Harding, KwikChex, Mail Online, Oscar's restaurant, reviews, tripadvisor, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.kwikchex.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail Online By Eleanor Harding * Oscar’s was billed as one of the best places to eat in Britain * The staff ‘would swim to catch whatever fish the customer wanted’ * Bookings began to flood in after the eatery supposedly opened on May 1 * Diners were baffled when they arrived at an […]

TripAdvisor fails to spot fake restaurant

25th July 2013

fake restaurant, KwikChex, Oliver Smith, Oscar's restaurant, Telegraph, Telegraph Travel, tripadvisor, www.telegraph.co.uk, Ziggys Spice House

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Telegraph Travel By: Oliver Smith ‘TripAdvisor has come under fire after its fraud detection systems failed to prevent a non-existent business becoming one of the most highly-rated restaurants in a popular seaside town.’ ‘Chris Emmins, co-founder of the online reputation management firm KwikChex, said the listing cast doubt on TripAdvisor’s ability to spot fraudulent […]

Halifax restaurant crashes from number one to 122 after TripAdvisor removes ‘fake’ reviews

25th July 2013

Caterer and Hotel Keeper, Halifax restaurant, KwikChex, tripadvisor, Ziggys Spice House

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Caterer and Hotelkeeper By: Neil Gerrard ‘TripAdvisor has removed hundreds of positive reviews for a Halifax restaurant, causing it to crash from being the number one business in the area to near bottom, amid suspicion that many of the reviews were fake.’ ‘KwikChex has now asked TripAdvisor to allow an independent IT expert to […]

Accor suspends exec who posted fake reviews

5th June 2013

Accor, Danny King, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, Travel Weekly, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travel Weekly, USA By: Danny King ‘Paris-based hotelier Accor said it had placed one of its executives on a leave of absence after learning that he had posted more than 100 reviews of both Accor-operated hotels and competing properties on TripAdvisor under an assumed alias.’ ‘The U.K.-based online reputation-management firm KwikChex identified Peter Hook, […]

Hotel employee caught posting anonymous TripAdvisor reviews

4th June 2013

employee, hotel, KwikChex, reviews, TA, Travel Blackboard, tripadvisor, www.etravelblackboardasia.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travel Blackboard, Asia Edition By: N.J. ‘Review website, TripAdvisor is under the reliability scope again, after a hotel group’s employee has admitted to posting up to 100 anonymous hotel reviews on the site.’ ‘According to the report, Mr Hook had been publishing reviews under the name ‘Tavare’ since 2010, but was caught out by […]

Hotel Executive Busted For Posting TripAdvisor Reviews

30th May 2013

hotel executive, KwikChex, reviews, Travelers Today, tripadvisor, www.travelerstoday.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travelers Today By: Katie McFadden ‘Do you always trust travel reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor? You might want to be more careful. A hotel executive was recently busted for posting reviews about his hotels and rivals.’ ‘According to Telegraph Travel, Peter Hook, a communications manager for Accord hotels in Asia and the Pacific […]

TripAdvisor reviewer exposed as hotel executive

28th May 2013

Accor hotels, Facebook, hotel executive, KwikChex, reviewer, TA, Telegraph, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Telegraph By: Oliver Smith ‘A senior executive at one of the world’s largest hotel groups has admitted breaching TripAdvisor’s rules by posting dozens of glowing reviews about the firm’s properties.’ ‘Peter Hook, who describes himself on Twitter as “director of propaganda” for Accor hotels in Asia and the Pacific, also published a number […]

TripAdvisor pledges change on opening hours information amid accuracy concerns

20th March 2013

Caterer and Hotelkeeper, KwikChex, Neil Gerrard, tripadvisor, www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media, Online Defamation News

Credits: Caterer and Hotelkeeper by Neil Gerrard. ‘Consumer reviews website TripAdvisor has pledged changes to the way it handles information regarding the opening hours of businesses featured on its site, after restaurateurs highlighted a series of inaccuracies that then proved hard to correct.’ ‘Chris Emmins, from online reputation management company Kwikchex, which has also helped […]

B&B owners suffer abuse after TV appearance

28th February 2013

B&B, Chris Emmins, Dexby Townhouse, Four in a bed, KwikChex, reviews, Travelmole, tripadvisor, TV

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travelmole ‘Police are investigating claims of abuse by six bed and breakfast operators following their appearance on a TV programme, Four in a Bed. One of the owners who appeared in the Channel 4 series claims to have been sent excrement through the post, according to a report in trade journal Caterer and Hotelkeeper. […]

The reality of reality TV programmes

28th February 2013

Chris Emmins, Four in a bed, KwikChex, online reputation, Reputation, Travelmole, TV

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travelmole ‘Chris Emmins, founder of KwikChex, a company that assists businesses in managing their reputation, gives the following advice to those tempted to participate in reality TV programmes, such as Four in a Bed to avoid the abuse received by some previous participants, as reported on TravelMole today.’ Above excerpts and read the full […]

Police called in to investigate abuse aimed at participants of Channel4 programme Four in a Bed

25th February 2013

Caterer and Hotelkeeper, Channel 4, Cyber bullying, defamation, Four in a bed, Janet Harmer, KwikChex, online harassment

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Caterer and Hotelkeeper By: Janet Harmer ‘Six of the bed and breakfast operators in the current series of the Channel 4 programme Four in a Bed are seeking legal advice after receiving abuse following their television appearance.’ ‘Chris Emmins, the founder of Kwikchex, the online company which helps businesses protect their reputation, said the […]

RDO takes pro-active approach to crisis management

11th December 2012

(RDO), KwikChex, online reputation, RCI Ventures, Resort Development Organisation

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: RCI Ventures By Steve Adams ‘European timeshare trade body the Resort Development Organisation (RDO) is protecting its name – and that of the industry – by joining forces with an online reputation management company. The three-month trial deal with Kwikchex (www.Kwikchex.com) is effective from December 2012 and will be monitored by the RDO’s Communications […]

Victims learn how to beat cyberbullies

28th November 2012

BBC NEWS, Cyber bullying, cyberbullies, KwikChex, solution

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: BBC News ‘Cyberbullying is a growing problem with attacks often having a lasting effect on the victims. Inside Out looks at two victims of internet bullying who have decided to find a solution to the problem. Seventeen-year-old Conor, a student and musician from Shropshire, was bullied on a website where people could vote on […]

KwikChex featured on BBC Inside Out

27th November 2012

BBC, BBC Radio, Chris Emmins, defamation, Inside Out, KwikChex

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

BBC Inside Out (West Midlands) investigates the damage caused by online defamation. The Broadcast is available on iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk 12 minutes 15 seconds in.

Review websites under attack

13th November 2012

airlinequality.com, authenticity, KwikChex, reviews, SkyTrax, TA, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Sydney Morning Herald By: Clive Dorman “Two of the world’s most popular travel review sites have found themselves in the middle of a corporate war over the authenticity of consumer reviews brought on by a company representing hoteliers.” Above excerpts and full article on: www.smh.com.au

Leading travel review site exposed by advertising watchdogs

8th November 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, review, SkyTrax, Travelmole, www.airlinequality.com, www.travelmole.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: TravelMole.com By Linsey McNeill ‘An investigation by advertising watchdogs into a leading airline and airport review site found it was unable to back up several of its claims, including that reviews on its site were posted by genuine passengers.’ Above excerpts and read the full story on www.travelmole.com

ASA ruling on Skytrax is published

7th November 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, SkyTrax

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Click here to view the ASA Adjudication on Skytrax

Why It’s Harder to Game Positive Online Reviews

1st November 2012

CNBC, KwikChex, Online Reviews, review, Yelp

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: CNBC By: Heesun Wee ‘Gaming positive reviews online is getting harder. The website Yelp which connects local businesses with user-contributed reviews on everything from restaurants to local dentists — recently launched a new “Consumer Alert” system that clamps down on fraudulent reviews.’ ‘But with business risk comes opportunity. Gartner forecasts the emergence of companies […]

BBC Radio 4 You&Yours featuring KwikChex

BBC Radio 4 You&Yours featuring KwikChex

19th October 2012

BBC, BBC Radio, Chris Emmins, KwikChex, Online Reviews, Radio 4, reviews, TA, tripadvisor, You and Yours, You&Yours

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Trip Advisor Sacking The staff sacked following uncomplimentary reviews on Trip Advisor. Featuring Chris Emmins from KwikChex. Click here to listen (Duration:6 minutes)

TripAdvisor vs the world

17th October 2012

KwikChex, reviews, thebandber.com, Trip Advisor, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: theBandBer.com ‘Back in 2010, a UK reputation management firm called Kwikchex launched a campaign against TripAdvisor for publishing allegedly libellous anonymous reviews about hotels. In particular, it has been working with the Advertising Standards Agency to demonstrate how unverified reviews sites can be abused. However Tennessee judge recently ruled that there was no defamation […]

TripAdvisor to be sued in Britain

15th October 2012

Chris Emmins, Chris Haslam, KwikChex, sued, The Sunday Times, tripadvisor, www.thesundaytimes.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Sunday Times By: Chris Haslam ‘The owner of a six-room guesthouse on the Isle of Lewis has become the first hotelier in Britain to be granted the right to sue TripAdvisor.’ ‘…however, TripAdvisor successfully argued that the case was beyond the remit of a small-claims court and should be heard in a higher […]

Fraudulent social reviews, both positive and negative, on the rise

13th October 2012

BtoBonline.com, Christopher Hosford, Fake Reviews, Gartner, KwikChex, www.btobonline.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: BtoBonline.com By: Christopher Hosford ‘Brand and reputation management is considered a key element of social media marketing. But what happens when forums, blogs, tweets and “likes” are sabotaged by hackers, competitors and other villains intent on destroying a company’s reputation? As many as 15% of online reviews will be fake by 2014, according to […]

Hotel worker: TripAdvisor review cost me my job

10th October 2012

Bar Job, Job, KwikChex, NBC News, review, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: NBC News By: A. Pawlowski, NBC News contributor ‘Travelers may love TripAdvisor.com, but hotels often gripe that unverified bad reviews have cost them customers. Now a former hotel worker says a questionable review cost him his job. “I’ve never heard of anyone being targeted specifically and actually being fired over a TripAdvisor review,” Fred […]

A bad review on TripAdvisor and – You’re fired!

9th October 2012

4hoteliers, fake review, KwikChex, sheraton hotel, www.4hoteliers.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: 4Hoteliers ‘Man employed for 14 years at Sheraton Hotel claims he was fired after bosses read an anonymous review alleging dishonesty. Fred Keeler has sought the help of internet reputation company KwikChex after being fired from his job as a barman at the Four Points Sheraton Philadelphia (NorthEast). The review was deleted shortly after KwikChex […]

Guesthouse owner goes to war with £3bn TripAdvisor: From one of the UK’s loneliest spots, a challenge over bogus guest reviews

18th September 2012

Chris Emmins, KwikChex, Mail Online, Paul Harris, tripadvisor, www.dailymail.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail Online By: Paul Harris ‘Richard Gollin took on the corporate might of TripAdvisor after customers confirmed they had cancelled bookings because of criticism they read on the site, widely viewed as the travellers’ bible.’ ‘Chris Emmins of KwikChex, which investigates online reviews, believes there could be up to ten million fake postings among […]

Insurance scammers target TripAdvisor

18th September 2012

Chris Emmins, Chris Haslam, KwikChex, The Sunday Times, tripadvisor, www.thesundaytimes.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Sunday Times By: Chris Haslam ‘A new wave of fraudsters is posting bogus accounts of theft and injury on TripAdvisor to back up false insurance claims, according to hoteliers.’ ‘Chris Emmins, of the online reputation management company KwikChex, says: “We’ve had more than 40 requests from hoteliers in this situation. It’s fairly frequent, […]

TV chef Blumenthal may be latest victim of malicious web users posting fake reviews

4th September 2012

Chris Emmins, Fake Reviews, food poisoning, Heston Blumenthal, KwikChex, Sarah Bridge, The Mail on Sunday, This is Money, www.thisismoney.co.uk

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Mail on Sunday (This is Money) By: Sarah Bridge ‘It is every cook’s worst nightmare. Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has just been accused of giving diners food poisoning.’ ‘However, rather than being a genuine case, it seems that Heston may be the latest victim of a growing trend in which people put fake […]

Bexley has highest hygiene failure rate for catering businesses

29th August 2012

Caterer and Hotelkeeper, Food Hygiene Rating, Food Standards Agency, FSA, KwikChex, Neil Gerrard

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Caterer and Hotelkeeper By: Neil Gerrard ‘Bexley is the local authority area with the highest failure rate among catering businesses for food hygiene in England, while Craven district council, North Yorkshire, has the lowest failure rate. That’s one of the findings from new research by reputation management firm KwikChex, which has analysed the scores received by […]

Top restaurants hit by online food poisoning lies

13th August 2012

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Mail on Sunday (This is Money.co.uk) By Sarah Bridge And Dan Pront “Some of the biggest names in the restaurant business are being bombarded with unfounded accusations of giving customers food poisoning on unregulated review sites. Chris Emmins, founder of KwikChex, which investigates potentially damaging internet reviews, said businesses were falling foul of fake […]

Legal warning over food-poison claims

12th August 2012

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Telegraph, by Charles Starmer-Smith A hygiene expert has warned that people who make unsubstantiated allegations about food poisoning in reviews on user-generated websites such as TripAdvisor could face legal action. “It’s almost impossible to say with any certainty that food poisoning came from any one meal, so making these kind of threats could potentially […]

KwikChex 5 Star Review Site Rating Awarded

3rd July 2012

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

KwikChex has now found a website that we believe answers our criteria for a 5 star rating. Whilst ResponsibleTravel.com may be no giant in terms of numbers of reviews they provide – 5,350, according to their website, they do provide a resource that is diligent and ethical, publishing reviews from authenticated customers, whether negative or […]

Who Has The Most Fake Consumer Reviewers?

25th June 2012

Allison McCann, BuzzFeed, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, tripadvisor, Yelp

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: BuzzFeed By: Allison McCann ‘Go on TripAdvisor’s UK site and you can no longer find the “reviews you can trust” slogan anywhere on the page (it still exists in the US, in tiny grey print near the bottom of the page.) Legally forced to remove the phrase, soon they might just have to say […]

Advertising undermined by online reviews

25th June 2012

advertising, Guardian, KwikChex, Online Reviews, Roy Greenslade

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Guardian By: Roy Greenslade ‘Canny consumers do not take adverts at face value. According to a research study, once they come across an ad they go online to check out reviews of the advertised product or service – but do they get the correct and fair information?’ ‘KwikChex says: “If consumers see negative opinion results, […]

ASA to investigate Skytrax over airline reviews

14th June 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, authenticity, KwikChex, reviews, SkyTrax, TTG, TTG Digital

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Airline rating site Skytrax is under investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority over the authenticity of some of its reviews. Credits: TTG Digital “The ASA has launched a formal investigation which will ask Skytrax to prove that some of its reviews, from which it gives airlines a star rating, are genuine. The probe follows a […]

KwikChex Ratings for Travel Review Websites – Updated

13th June 2012

Booking.com, Budgetplaces.com, Cruise Critic, cruisecritic.co.uk, ebookers.com, Expedia, Expedia.com, FlipKey, Flipkey.com, Google, Holiday Lettings, Holiday Watchdog, HolidayLettings.co.uk, holidaywatchdog.com, Hostel World, Hostelworld.com, Hotels.com, KwikChex, KwikChex ratings, Lastminute.com, LateRooms.com, Orbitz, orbitz.com, Ratings Award System, Responsible travel, Responsibletravel.com, review sites, SkyTrax, Travel Republic, travel review sites, travel.yahoo.com, TravelRepublic.co.uk, tripadvisor, TripAdvisor.com, Venere, Venere.com, verification, Verified reviews, Virtual Tourist, VirtualTourist.com, www.airlinequality.com, www.google.com/hotelfinder, yahoo, Yahoo! Travel, Yelp, yelp.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Updated 3rd July 2012 KwikChex has now published ratings on the first named travel review sites. Background Reviews sites, are fundamentally asking consumers to trust / believe in the information they provide on businesses. They are highly influential in consumer opinion and decision making. Small businesses in particular can be made or broken according to […]

BBC Fake Britain investigates fake reviews on TripAdvisor

24th May 2012

BBC, BBC Fake Britain, BBC Radio, Fake Reviews, Hastings, Howarth House, KwikChex, Medieval Lodge, St Annes, tripadvisor, UK

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

BBC Fake Britain investigates the damage caused by fake Trip Advisor reviews to KwikChex Members Howarth House and Medieval Lodge. The Broadcast on the iPlayer has now expired – the next available viewing according to BBC is at 02:55am Thursday 7th June BBC1

Further coverage of reliability issues for review sites. Article cites ASA and FTC cases referred by KwikChex

9th May 2012

ASA, FTC, KwikChex, review sites, travel websites

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Travel websites implement new policies on reviews after investigation Credits: abc15.com By: Adam Slinger “Travel websites are scrambling to crackdown on fake reviews before the summer vacation season after a new study alluded that some hotel owners and staff were writing false reviews under the pseudonyms of tourists In February, the United Kingdom’s ‘Advertising Standards […]

Who reviews the reviewers?

9th May 2012

KwikChex, reviewers, reviews, tripadvisor, yahoo, Yahoo Philippines, yahoo.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Yahoo Philippines “Travel review sites have come to exert phenomenal authority over where we stay and where we eat, with the likes of TripAdvisor and Booking.com now holding millions of reviews from travelers. Those reviews, of course, are only useful as long as they can be trusted, and in recent years it’s been increasingly asserted by hoteliers […]

TripAdvisor critic launches rating system for hotel reviews

1st May 2012

Hotel Reviews, KwikChex, Laura Bly, rating system, reviews, tripadvisor, USA Today

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: USA Today By: Laura Bly In the latest round of an ongoing debate over the reliability of hotel reviews on TripAdvisor and other travel review sites, U.K.-based reputation management company KwikChex is launching a ratings system that ranks the sites on sliding scale. According to Tnooz.com, KwikChex will award as many as five stars for sites where reviewers are […]

Travel industry targeted by reputation management company

30th April 2012

harmful review, KwikChex, ratings system, Securities Exchange Commission, Travelmole

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Reputation management company KwikChex is to beef up its efforts to protect the travel and hospitality sector against false and damaging online reviews. The company said no other industry has been as affected by harmful review websites, so it has decided to dedicate additional resources to the sector. Read the full article on www.travelmole.com

Kwikchex launch ratings system for online review sites

30th April 2012

Caterer, Google Reviews, KwikChex, review fraud, the five-tier ratings system, tripadvisor, Yelp

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Google Reviews, TripAdvisor and Yelp are regarded as the most unreliable review sites, according to a new ratings system introduced by the online reputation management firm, KwikChex. Chris Emmins, co-founder of KwikChex, said that the five-tier ratings system, which is currently being introduced to its own online site, is intended to provide consumers with […]

Cyber bully attacks funeral firm with ‘fake’ reviews

16th April 2012

Cyber bully, Enfield Independent, Fake Reviews, funeral directors, funeral firm, Hermione Wright, KwikChex, Melville and Daughters, Melville and Daughters funeral directors, Tottenham

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Enfield Independent By: Hermione Wright ‘A cyber bully is playing with the future of a Tottenham funeral firm by leaving ‘fake’ feedback on a major review website.’ ‘Damian Melville, 33, opened Melville and Daughters funeral directors in West Green Road two years ago to ensure future job security for his five-year-old and 12-year-old daughter when […]

BBC Fast Track reports on fake reviews and the ASA ruling on TripAdvisor

5th April 2012

ASA, BBC, BBC Radio, Fake Reviews, Fast Track, tripadvisor

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

“Reviews You Can Trust”. It always was a bold slogan, but last month Tripadvisor was officially told to remove it from its British website. The country’s advertising watchdog decided you couldn’t tell which reviews were real, and which were simply made-up. But now, one similar site says it may have found a way. Keith […]

TripAdvisor under fire over fraud detection

25th March 2012

fraud detection, KwikChex, Oliver Smith, The Telegraph Travel, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Telegraph Travel By: Oliver Smith ‘New evidence of hoteliers attempting to manipulate their ratings has increased the pressure on TripAdvisor to improve its screening procedures.’ ‘Pressure is growing on TripAdvisor, the travel review website, to improve its screening procedures following the emergence of new evidence of hoteliers attempting to manipulate their ratings and of […]

Checking in to TripAdvisor’s Hotel Popularity Index

17th March 2012

ASA, KwikChex, Laura Bly, tripadvisor, USA Today, USA Today - Travel, www.travel.usatoday.com

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Credits: USA Today – Travel By: Laura Bly ‘To many hoteliers and their guests, TripAdvisor’s Hotel Popularity Index — a destination-specific ranking based on quantity, quality and recency of content written about the hotel on the site — is an indispensable and influential tool.’ ‘While TripAdvisor “does a good job for a lot of people, […]

How Accurate are Online Travel Reviews?

12th March 2012

ASA, Facebook, Gogobot, Google, KwikChex, PeterGreenberg.com, Phil Baker, tripadvisor, www.petergreenberg.com, Yelp

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Credits: PeterGreenberg.com By: Phil Baker ‘It’s easy to find hotel reviews online, but honest, unbiased honest customer reviews are harder to spot. Tech columnist Phil Baker reports on new findings and reviews the latest technology to see if there’s a better way.’ ‘There’s another option that I recently discovered that’s taking a novel approach to […]

TripAdvisor bows to pressure over new ratings system

5th March 2012

Bev Fearis, KwikChex, new ratings system, Travelmole, tripadvisor, www.travelmole.com

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: Travelmole By: Bev Fearis ‘TripAdvisor has decided to remove its new ratings system following criticism from hospitality businesses. The review website introduced a new scoring system out of five last week but the initiative immediately came under fire. KwikChex thanked TripAdvisor for its swift action in removing the ratings system.’ “We believe that the […]

TripAdvisor to remove new ratings system following criticism

2nd March 2012

criticism, KwikChex, new ratings system, Oliver Smith, Telegraph Travel, tripadvisor, www.telegraph.co.uk

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Credits: The Telegraph Travel By: Oliver Smith ‘TripAdvisor is to scrap its controversial new “ratings” system, which allows reviewers to mark hotels, restaurants and attractions without leaving a written review.’ ‘KwikChex, the online reputation management company, which has frequently spoken out against TripAdvisor’s methods, described it as “baffling”. Chris Emmins, chief executive of KwikChex, said: “It […]

TripAdvisor troll: Was restaurant reviewer from Salford just having a ‘digital tantrum’?

24th February 2012

digital tantrum, KwikChex, Manchester Evening News, Restaurant, reviews, Salford, Sarah Dunn, tripadvisor, www.menmedia.co.uk

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Credits: Manchester Evening News By: Sarah Dunn ‘Griffiths posted a stream of up to 30 detrimental online reviews on tripadvisor and other sites about The Good Life – owned by the ex partner of her husband, Adrian.’ ‘She slated the vegetarian restaurant, claiming staff were ‘cold and unattentive’, ‘the vegan option wasn’t vegan’ and there were […]

Legal warning over food-poison claims

3rd February 2012

Charles Starmer-Smith, food poisoning, KwikChex, Telegraph, tripadvisor, www.telegraph.co.uk

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Credits: The Telegraph Travel By: Charles Starmer-Smith ‘A hygiene expert has warned that people who make unsubstantiated allegations about food poisoning in reviews on user-generated websites such as TripAdvisor could face legal action. “It’s almost impossible to say with any certainty that food poisoning came from any one meal, so making these kind of threats could […]

TripAdvisor anonymity must end

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, Charles Starmer-Smith, KwikChex, reviews, The Telegraph, The Telegraph Travel, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Telegraph Travel By: Charles Starmer-Smith ‘Following the Advertising Standards Authority’s ruling that TripAdvisor can longer claim all its reviews are by “real travellers”, Charles Starmer-Smith calls for the website to re-think the way its reports are checked. There are hoteliers queuing up to welcome the Advertising Standards Authority’s ruling that TripAdvisor can no longer […]

TripAdvisor scolded by UK ad regulator for ‘trust’ claims

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, CNN, KwikChex, Marnie Hunter, reviews, tripadvisor, US

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Credits: CNN By: Marnie Hunter ‘Phrases such as “reviews you can trust” and “reviews from real travelers” have misled TripAdvisor users in the United Kingdom, according to a judgment issued Wednesday by the Advertising Standards Authority in Britain. The decision comes in response to a complaint filed by a reputation management firm and two hotels, claiming […]

TripAdvisor reviews can’t be trusted: Website fails to vet comments, says watchdog

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, Mail Online, reviews, Sean Poulter, tripadvisor, www.dailymail.co.uk

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Credits: Mail Online By: Sean Poulter ‘TripAdvisor can no longer claim to offer ‘trusted and honest’ reviews, the advertising watchdog has ruled. It said that because the world’s biggest travel website does not vet its 50 million users’ comments, it cannot guarantee they are genuine.’ ‘It has faced claims that some establishments are being given poor […]

Tripadvisor banned from claiming its reviews are real

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, Consumer Affairs Editor, James Hall, KwikChex, reviews, The Telegraph, The Telegraph Travel, tripadvisor, www.telegraph.co.uk

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Credits: The Telegraph Travel By: James Hall, Consumer Affairs Editor ‘It follows complaints that some unscrupulous hoteliers have posted fake comments on the site to boost their own business or sabotage others. The advertising watchdog said that because reviews can be posted on the site without any form of verification, Tripadvisor must no longer claim […]

ASA slams TripAdvisor for claiming reviews are from real travellers

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, Carrie-Ann Skinner, KwikChex, PC Advisor, reviews, tripadvisor, www.pcadvisor.co.uk

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Credits: PC Advisor By: Carrie-Ann Skinner ‘Regulator upheld complaint that website doesn’t check comments are from real travellers The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has slammed holiday-reviews site TripAdvisor, claiming it’s “misleading” web users. KwikChex Ltd and two hotels made complaints over the site’s claims that it offered “trusted advice from real traveller”, “reviews you can […]

TripAdvisor rebuked over ‘trust’ claims on review site

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, BBC, BBC NEWS, KwikChex, reviews, tripadvisor, www.bbc.co.uk

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Credits: BBC News ‘TripAdvisor has been ordered to rewrite some of its marketing claims by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority. The ruling follows complaints by hotels that the site had said that its holiday reviews could be “trusted”. The watchdog said that the ruling served as a warning to all sites with user-generated material. It […]

TripAdvisor under fire for ‘real traveller’ contribution claim

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, The Guardian, tripadvisor, www.guardian.co.uk

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Credits: The Guardian By: Steven Morris ‘Advertising watchdogs have criticised the travel website TripAdvisor for asserting that all contributions on its pages were honest and from real travellers. But some hoteliers and others in the hospitality trade claim the site is open to abuse, for example from rivals keen to attack an establishment’s reputation. Two […]

Ruling on ‘trusted’ status of TripAdvisor reviews welcomed

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, irishtimes.com, KwikChex, reviews, THE IRISH Hotels Federation, tripadvisor, www.irishtimes.com

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Credits: Irishtimes.com By: CONOR POPE, Consumer Affairs Correspondent ‘THE IRISH Hotels Federation has welcomed a ruling published by the British Advertising Standards Authority this morning which prohibits travel website TripAdvisor from claiming or even implying the hotel reviews it carries are “honest, real or trusted”. The federation also called on all travel review websites to […]

Travel website claims ‘misleading’

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, The Press Association, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Press Association ‘TripAdvisor has been told it cannot claim all of its reviews are written by real travellers. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said claims that all reviews on the travel site are genuine are “misleading”. The ruling came after complaints highlighted statements on the TripAdvisor website which claimed: “reviews you can trust”, […]

TripAdvisor ordered by UK regulator to stop claiming reviews are real, honest or trusted

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, Tnooz, tripadvisor, www.tnooz.com

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Credits: Tnooz By: Linda Fox ‘The UK advertising regulator upheld a complaint from online reputation firm Kwikchex and two hotels which argued wording on TripAdvisor’s UK website, such as “reviews you can trust…from real travellers…and trusted advice from real travellers”, was misleading because the company could not prove reviews were genuine or from real travellers.’ Chris Emmins […]

Travel website’s reviews criticised

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, Scotsman.com, tripadvisor, www.scotsman.com

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Credits: Scotsman.com ‘An ADVERTISING watchdog has told the travel website TripAdvisor it could not claim that all of its reviews were written by real travellers. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said claims that all reviews on the site were genuine were “misleading”.’ Above excerpts and full story from www.scotsman.com

TripAdvisor’s ‘reviews you can trust’ claims barred by ASA

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, Campaign, campaignlive.co.uk, KwikChex, Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith, reviews, tripadvisor

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Credits: Campaign By: Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith, campaignlive.co.uk ‘The advertising watchdog has told TripAdvisor, the travel reviews site, it can no longer claim or imply that all the reviews on its site are from “real travellers” or are “honest”, “real” or “trusted”. The Advertising Standards Authority looked into three complaints, one from online reputation management company KwikChex […]

Tripadviser claims of ‘trusted advice’ and ‘reviews by real travellers’ deemed false by ASA

1st February 2012

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, The Drum, tripadvisor, www.thedrum.co.uk

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Credits: The Drum ‘Claims by Tripadvisor.co.uk that its “Reviews you can trust” statement, alongside claims that the site carried “reviews from real travelers” and that it offered ‘trusted advice from real travellers’ was untrue, and banned the company from using similar claims in the future. Three complaints were received by the Advertising Standards Authority, from […]

Advertising watchdog rap for Tripadvisor

1st February 2012

advertising watchdog, ASA, KwikChex, reviews, Travolution, tripadvisor

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Credits: Travolution ‘A complaint about the authenticity of Tripadvisor reviews has been upheld by UK watchdog the Advertising Standards Authority. The complaint by online reputation specialist KwikChex Ltd centred on the site’s claims of the authenticity and trustworthiness of its reviews. Tripadvisor had claimed the site featured more than “50 million honest travel reviews and […]

TripAdvisor Announces Readers’ Top Hotels

24th January 2012

digital journal, KwikChex, KwikChex.com, Top Hotels, Travelers Choice Awards 2012, tripadvisor, TripAdvisor.com, www.digitaljournal.com

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Credits: Digital Journal By: Roderick Eime “TripAdvisor.com, arguably the most influential source of hotel reviews, has released its much anticipated Travelers Choice Awards for 2012. But not all hotels agree.” “Another company, UK-based KwikChex.com, is specifically targeting TripAdvisor in their efforts, placing pressure on the company to take more stringent measures in verifying reviews, including […]

Completely unstoppable & extremely influential

18th January 2012

ASA, Eat Out, Eat Out Magazine, hotels, Online Reviews, restaurants

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Credits: Eat Out Magazine “Online reviews have been in the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons. Allegations of sabotage and fake postings are rife leading the Advertising Standards Authority to launch an investigation into reviews of hotels and restaurants. Chris Emmins co-founder of KwikChex, tells us about the rise, reviews and risks of online […]

KwikChex and BBC News successful again over fake review removal

11th January 2012

BBC, BBC NEWS, BBC Radio, Fake Reviews, Hastings, KwikChex, Medieval Lodge, tripadvisor, UK

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KwikChex member Medieval Lodge in Hastings, UK today had a fake review removed from their TripAdvisor profile after the BBC reported the distress and damage being caused on their flagship breakfast news programme. KwikChex has traced the person responsible and is considering further action. Watch the BBC news clip. Further information and update on this […]

Is that Review Genuine?

11th January 2012

ASA, Asia, Bangalore, Cambodia, Firoz Fazil, India, Indian, KwikChex, New York Times, review, Thailand, tripadvisor, Vietnam, Voyager’s World

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Voyager’s World, Bangalore, India – December 2011 Is that Review Genuine? The reviews on travel review websites look good and glowing. But how trustworthy are such reviews? Firoz Fazil finds out. Excerpts from article: “If you start with the fact that there is no verification process – not even to confirm that is a genuine […]

KwikChex and BBC force Google to remove online defamation – Video on BBC Website

9th January 2012

All News/Blog, BBC, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Firms fall victim to fake web reviews Click here to view video (originally shown on BBC News at Six 03/11/2011) Plus related article on BBC News Website: Google removes ‘paedophile’ claim on review website Credits: BBC News By Claire Marshall BBC News Midlands correspondent “A business owner accused in a Google review of being a paedophile […]

Global guest book spins out on its own

21st December 2011

KwikChex, Reuters, tripadvisor, www.reuters.com

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“(Reuters.com) – TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site with 20 million members, has completed its spin-off from travel website operator Expedia.” “UK reputation management firm KwikChex would take umbrage with the term ‘authentic review’; a non-transactional site, there’s no guarantee that people who review properties on TripAdvisor have actually stepped foot in them. KwikChex represents […]

What is wrong with TripAdvisor?

14th December 2011

ASA, Chris Emmins, freedom of speech, KwikChex, Tnooz, tripadvisor

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Credits: Tnooz By: Chris Emmins, chief executive of KwikChex “When KwikChex first started publicly challenging TripAdvisor, many were concerned it was an attempt to suppress freedom of speech. Some had the impression that it was being driven by sub-standard businesses which simply couldn’t take criticism. On both accounts, nothing could have been further from the […]

Companies must learn from Qantas Twitter gaffe and TripAdvisor blackmails

27th November 2011

All News/Blog, Blog, KwikChex In The Media

Credits: The Telegraph By: Emma Barnett “Companies need to plan social media communication with the same level of thought, crisis management and craftsmanship as a traditional advertising campaign.” “Brands must learn from Qantas-esque mistakes when marketing themselves online and cleverly engage with reviewers. Social media engagement is risky, but when done well, is the most […]

BBC Sussex Breakfast show

23rd November 2011

BBC, BBC Radio, BBC Sussex, blackmail, Breakfast show, KwikChex, radio, reviews, Sussex, tripadvisor

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TripAdvisor reviews – confusing, contradictory, coercion and blackmail. Featuring KwikChex. Click here to listen

Bad Online Reviews or Blackmail? BBC Radio 4 – ‘You & Yours’

23rd November 2011

Bad Online Reviews, BBC, BBC Radio, BBC Radio 4, blackmail, KwikChex, review websites, You & Yours

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Bad Online Reviews or Blackmail? Companies are complaining that review websites are being used to blackmail them… Featuring KwikChex. Click here to listen (Chapter 2)

TripAdvisor: hotel owners fear growing ‘blackmail’ threats from guests online

22nd November 2011

blackmail, KwikChex, KwikChex.com, reviews, The Telegraph, Travel, tripadvisor, www.telegraph.co.uk

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Credits: The Telegraph – Travel “Guests are attempting to blackmail hotels and businesses into paying hundreds of pounds by threatening to write bad reviews on the online site TripAdvisor, it has been reported. “ “TripAdvisor carries more the reviews which it claims are honest, reliable and written by “real travellers around the world”. But online […]

The holidaymakers’ blackmail: Hotel guests using threat of poor TripAdvisor reviews to demand free upgrades and refunds

22nd November 2011

Deborah Sinclair, Evesham, hotels, MailOnline, review, Riverside Hotel, Sophie Freeman, tripadvisor, Worcestershire, www.dailymail.co.uk

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Credits: Mail Online By: Sophie Freeman “Hotel guests are using the threat of a bad review on Tripadvisor to blackmail owners into paying hundreds of pounds ‘compensation’ – even when there was nothing wrong with their stay.” “Last month, MailOnline reported that hotel owner Deborah Sinclair was taking legal action after Tripadvisor placed a ‘red […]

Pressure builds on TripAdvisor over reviews

11th November 2011

Advertising Standards Agency, ASA, defamation, KwikChex, laws, Oliver Smith, reviews, The Telegraph, Travel, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Telegraph – Travel By: Oliver Smith “TripAdvisor, the travel review website, may have to change the way it operates if proposed changes to defamation laws go ahead and a new complaint being considered by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) is upheld.” “Several hoteliers are also taking legal action individually against the website for […]

TripAdvisor launches dedicated customer support phone line

8th November 2011

Advertising Standards Agency, ASA, Caterer and Hotel Keeper, KwikChex, Neil Gerrard, phone line, reviews, tripadvisor, www.caterersearch.com

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Credits: Caterer and Hotel Keeper By: Neil Gerrard “TripAdvisor is to launch a customer support phone number for registered owners and managers on the online reviews website, which is set to go live today.” “The move comes following an intense period of publicity for the controversial website, which faces pressure and the threat of legal […]

KwikChex and BBC force Google to remove online defamation

4th November 2011

BBC, BBC NEWS, BBC Radio, Google, KwikChex, online defamation, review

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Google removes ‘paedophile’ claim on review website Credits: BBC News By Claire Marshall BBC News Midlands correspondent “A business owner accused in a Google review of being a paedophile and a thief has said he is delighted that the search giant has removed the entry.” “He (Chris Emmins of KwikChex) called for Google, Tripadvisor and […]

Rallying cry from stricken hotelier

27th October 2011

Blackpool, Clifton Drive, Dan Yates, Howarth House, Howarth House Hotel, St Annes, The Blackpool Gazette, tripadvisor, www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

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Credits: The Blackpool Gazette “A HOTELIER fighting an online reviewing giant is calling on businesses to band together and stop reputations from being destroyed.” “The idea came after Mr Yates became involved with online reputation service KwikChex after a series of what he claims are fraudulent, inaccurate reviews of his Clifton Drive South establishment.” […]

KwikChex features on BBC Radio 4 – ‘You & Yours’

26th October 2011

BBC, BBC Radio 4, Evesham, KwikChex, Riverside Hotel, tripadvisor, You & Yours

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Hotelier to sue Trip Advisor Why one hotelier is suing Tripadvisor after the company accused her of faking good reviews of her hotel and posting negatives reviews of her competitors. Click here to listen (Chapter 3)

Hotelier sues TripAdvisor after accusations she wrote fake positive reviews causes revenue to plummet by 75%

25th October 2011

Evesham, KwikChex, Mail Online, Riverside Hotel, Simon Tomlinson, tripadvisor, www.dailymail.co.uk

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Credits: Mail Online By: Simon Tomlinson “A hotelier is suing TripAdvisor over claims she has lost thousands of pounds in revenue after the travel website accused her of posting fake positive reviews. Deborah Sinclair is taking legal action after a ‘red flag’ was placed on the review page of the Riverside hotel which she […]

Allegedly defamatory comments from named authors should stay online, say MPs

20th October 2011

defamatory comments, law, legal, Out-Law.com, Pinsent Masons, reviews

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Credits: Pinsent Masons, Out-Law.com “Web hosts and ISPs should be allowed to keep allegedly defamatory comments online as long as the author of the comment is identified and a notice of complaint is published alongside the comment, a Parliamentary committee has recommended.” “The system has been suggested by a joint Parliamentary committee reviewing proposed new […]

TripAdvisor: upmarket hotelier faces ruin after website ‘red flags hotel’

1st October 2011

Andrew Hough, hotel, hotelier, red flags, The Telegraph, Travel, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Telegraph – Travel By: Andrew Hough “A businesswoman who operates a high-end hotel is facing financial ruin after a customer’s positive online review on TripAdvisor was suspected of being written by management.” “TripAdvisor carries more 50 millions reviews which it claims are honest, reliable and written by “real travellers around the world”. But […]

BBC Brasil article ‘Fake Reviews affecting online retailers’ – translated

30th September 2011

BBC, BBC Brasil, brazil, Fake Reviews, Thomas Pappone, translated

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English translation – see original article and images on BBC Brasil – click here Fake Reviews affecting online retailers – authorities concerned Thomas Pappone BBC Brasil in London Updated September 30, 2011 – 10:02 (GMT) 13:02 GMT “My husband and I stayed at the James Chicago Hotel for our anniversary. This place is fantastic! Once […]

‘Fake’ reviews on TripAdvisor a real problem for hoteliers

23rd September 2011

Advertising Standards Agency, ASA, Fake Reviews, Karlin Lillington, KwikChex, The Irish Times, tripadvisor, www.irishtimes.com

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Credits: The Irish Times By: Karlin Lillington “In the UK, that anger has bubbled over into a complaint brought to the country’s Advertising Standards Agency by online reputation management company KwikChex, representing some 2,000 UK hotels.” “Kwikchex co-founder Chris Emmins told the Telegraph that the company made a similar complaint on behalf of hotels and restaurants […]

Selling Travel With Words, Not Images

21st September 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, Andrew Adam Newman, ASA, KwikChex, Oyster.com, The New York Times, Travel, tripadvisor

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Credits: The New York Times By: Andrew Adam Newman “While Web sites like TripAdvisor, which is owned by Expedia, amass consumer reviews, Oyster relies instead on 45 full-time reviewers who stay in hotels incognito and post their reviews and photographs.” “Earlier this month, the Advertising Standards Authority in Britain announced it was investigating the veracity […]

Bank security on top in consumer information security trust survey

16th September 2011

KwikChex, Ron Condon, SearchSecurity.co.UK, security trust survey, UK Bureau Chief, www.searchsecurity.co.uk

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Credits: SearchSecurity.co.UK By: Ron Condon, UK Bureau Chief “Despite the economic turmoil of the last three years, the banks still retain public trust when it comes to looking after personal information, according to a new consumer information security attitude survey conducted by research group YouGov. By contrast, the public sector and online retailers are trusted […]

TripAdvisor removes ‘reviews you can trust’ slogan after ASA investigation is launched

13th September 2011

Advertising Standards Agency, ASA, Daily Mail, KwikChex, reviews you can trust, The Mail Online, tripadvisor, www.dailymail.co.uk

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Credits: The Mail Online By: Travelmail Reporter “TripAdvisor has removed the slogan ‘reviews you can trust’ from its website, replacing it with the phrase ‘reviews from our community’.” “The website is currently being investigated by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) over allegations that fake reviews have been posted on the site.” Above excerpt and full […]

TripAdvisor removes its ‘reviews you trust’ slogan

13th September 2011

ASA, KwikChex, reviews, Richard Hall, The Independent, tripadvisor, www.independent.co.uk

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Credits: The Independent By: Richard Hall “…But the veracity of reviews has been called into question by a group of 2,000 hoteliers, who approached online reputation management company KwikChex to investigate. The ASA responded to the concerns raised by KwikChex by announcing a formal investigation on September 1.” Above excerpt and full article on www.independent.co.uk

Is TripAdvisor changing its tune?

12th September 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, The Economist, Tnooz, tripadvisor, www.economist.com

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Credits: The Economist By: A.B “Thanks in part to a campaign by KwikChex.com, which helps companies manage their online reputations, TripAdvisor is expected to have to provide evidence to the ASA showing that taglines such as “You’ll find real hotel reviews you can trust at TripAdvisor” are fair.” Above excerpt and full article on www.economist.com

Government Investigates Fake TripAdvisor Reviews

12th September 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, Fake Reviews, Google, Kaleel Sakakeeny, KwikChex, reviews, Technorati, Technorati.com, tripadvisor

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Credits: Technorati By: Kaleel Sakakeeny “Now we read in the usually reliable industry site, hotel marketing.com that the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority(ASA) is officially investigating the review giant because complaints have “reached monumental levels.” “If the ASA finds against TripAdvisor it could spell trouble for spin-off Expedia, a huge ad monger.” Above excerpts and full […]

A TIME FOR PROOF

7th September 2011

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Credits: Business Traveller, Asia-Pacific By: Margie T Logarta, Managing Editor, Asia Editor’s Note, Published: 07/09/2011 “It will be interesting to see how TripAdvisor, the extremely popular travel review website of Expedia, will emerge from the imminent investigation by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) into claims that many of the published comments are false.” “Kwikchex.com […]

TripAdvisor reviews under advertising watchdog’s scrutiny

7th September 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, KwikChex, law, legal, Out-Law.com, Pinsent Masons, tripadvisor

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Credits: Pinsent Masons, Out-Law.com “KwikChex believes that claims made by TripAdvisor are misleading and cannot be substantiated. Under the UK Code of non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code), which sets out the rules on online advertising, it is prohibited for advertisers to make misleading claims and for those claims not to be […]

Trade joins in legal attack on TripAdvisor

7th September 2011

Sophie Griffiths, Trade, Travel Trade Gazette, tripadvisor, TTG, TTG Digital, www.ttgdigital.com

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Credits: Travel Trade Gazette By: Sophie Griffiths “The boss of a tour operator is urging the trade to come forward and join his crusade against TripAdvisor” Above excerpt and full article on The Travel Trade Gazette: www.ttgdigital.com (you will need to register to view articles)

TripAdvisor called into question over ‘fake’ reviews

7th September 2011

Fake Reviews, Google, KwikChex, Melanie Nayer, reviews, The Boston Globe, tripadvisor, www.boston.com

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Credits: The Boston Globe By: Melanie Nayer “How many times have you Googled a hotel name and found a TripAdvisor review show up? How many times have you clicked on that link to read the review? How many of those reviews were fake?” Above excerpt and full article on The Boston Globe: www.boston.com

TripAdvisor faces probe over ‘10 million fake hotel reviews’

2nd September 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, advertising watchdog, ASA, Billy Kenber, David Coles, Domaine aux Quat'Saisons, KwikChex, the times, tripadvisor, www.thetimes.co.uk

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Credits: The Times By: Billy Kenber “The travel review website TripAdvisor is being investigated by the advertising watchdog over allegations that its claims to provide trustworthy and genuine reviews from real travellers are false.” “Chris Emmins, of the online reputation management company Kwikchex, has been studying TripAdvisor for eight months and said that he believed […]

TripAdvisor investigated by Advertising Standards Authority after complaints

2nd September 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, complaints, James Hall, KwikChex, Telegraph, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Telegraph By: James Hall “The advertising watchdog has launched a formal investigation into TripAdvisor, the travel review website, after thousands of hoteliers and restaurateurs claimed that its reviews are made up or defamatory.” “KwikChex.com, which helps companies manage their online reputations, approached the advertising watchdog and demanded that it looked into the complaints.” […]

TripAdvisor’s Fake Reviews Sickness Goes Critical

2nd September 2011

Argophilia, ASA, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, Phillip Butler, tripadvisor, www.argophilia.com

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Credits: Argophilia By: Phillip Butler “The allegations by many are that, hotels were paying “agents” to “boost” their reviews – and to make their competition look bad. The Christian Science Monitor goes so far as to say the “problem” with fake reviews and endorsements if even greater than TripAdvisor’s suggested 10 million fake endorsements, CSM […]

Pressure on TripAdvisor grows with media coverage and evidence from around the world

31st August 2011

Fake Reviews, france, Germany, Online Reviews, Portugal, Russia, The New York Times, tripadvisor, turkey, USA

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More and more coverage is being given around the world to the problems of fake and unreliable online reviews – and the role of TripAdvisor in this growing phenomenon which is deceiving consumers and damaging many reputable businesses. USA The New York Times wrote about how “an industry of fibbers and promoters has sprung up […]

Hotels call on third-party ORM firms

25th August 2011

defamation, HotelNewsNow.com, hotels, KwikChex, ORM, Stacey Mieyal Higgins, tripadvisor

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Credits: HotelNewsNow.com By: Stacey Mieyal Higgins “It’s a relatively new phenomenon—customers actually shaping a brand by commenting and sharing experiences. Yet travelers rely so heavily on peer experiences that to not manage it, to not stay on top of guest comments, is to ignore one of the most important parts of your brand.” “Chris Emmins, […]

TripAdvisor still failing to spot fake reviews

21st August 2011

Fake Reviews, Stephen Bleach, the times, tripadvisor

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Credits: The Times By: Stephen Bleach “The TripAdvisor system for exposing fake reviews on its website has serious flaws – can we expect genuine contributions anymore?” “This is further proof that TripAdvisor’s screening is poor,” said Chris Emmins, of the online reputation-management firm KwikChex. “Every day, the site is becoming more corrupted by false reviews.” […]

KwikChex presents its findings on TripAdvisor to the ASA

4th August 2011

Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, Caterersearch.com, Fake Reviews, Federal Trade Commission, fraudulent reviews, FTC, KwikChex, tripadvisor

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Credits: Caterersearch.com By: Janet Harmer 03/08/2011 A report that is claimed to include tens of thousands of defamatory comments and misrepresentation on review site TripAdvisor has been presented to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Online reputation management firm KwikChex.com, which has also presented its findings to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the USA, said […]

Glowing TripAdvisor write-ups – from just £3

24th July 2011

Chris Haslam, KwikChex, the times, tripadvisor, www.thetimes.co.uk

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Credits: The Times By: Chris Haslam “The site comes under attack again as it is revealed several writers for hire post positive comments for cash.” “That’s worrying, says Chris Emmins of the online reputation-management company KwikChex. “The No 1 hotel in Rome is currently the Deko,” he says. “It opened in April and, after just 30 […]

Can you still trust TripAdvisor?

21st July 2011

article, Fake Reviews, KwikChex, the times, Times, tripadvisor, TripAdvisor.com, trust

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Credits: The Times By: Laura Whateley “As ‘thousands’ of fake hotel reviews prompt a warning to travellers, we examine the facts and urge holidaymakers to exercise caution when using TripAdvisor.com” “Corruption of information and abuses of the site are growing,” Mr Emmins (KwikChex Co-Founder) says. “We have studied TripAdvisor for eight months, evaluating almost every […]

Name, shame and the image game

11th June 2011

Journalist, KwikChex, Reputation Management, roger boyes, Times

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“The web-cleaners promise to sort this out. Most seem to reshuffle your Google results by posting links with fake Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to force down negative news, pushing it to the unread sixth or seventh page. I preferred the KwikChex approach: it establishes new platforms that generate positive news. The result: good news forces […]

My name wasn’t my fault, but ending the jokes is torment

4th June 2011

KwikChex, roger boyes, the times, thetimes.co.uk

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Credits: The Times By: Roger Boyes “It was only a matter of time before reputation managers caught up with people who don’t play football for Manchester United. People like me. After all, it’s not just celebrities who have reputations to lose.” “The new web-cleaners promise to sort this out. These reputation managers say they can […]

PR agents conceal celebrity sins from search engines

3rd June 2011

celebrity sins, KwikChex, PR, Ryan Giggs, the times

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Chris Emmins, co-founder of Kwikchex, said he had been approached in the past week by three celebrities who panicked after seeing how quickly the footballer Ryan Giggs’s name had been spread online. The company turned down the work “on principle”, but the three men – an actor, an author, and a politician – all wanted […]

Yours for a price — a better reputation online

2nd June 2011

Howarth House Hotel, KwikChex, Reputation, St Annes, the times, www.thetimes.co.uk

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Credits: The Times By: Billy Kenber “Hotels and authors are paying agencies to boost their rankings on review websites and discredit their rivals.” “Other companies take a different approach. Chris Emmins, co-founder of Kwikchex, works to remove false negative reviews posted by rivals or disgruntled former employees by providing TripAdvisor with proof that they were […]

Times Journalist Roger Boyes Tries Out ‘Verified by KwikChex’

28th May 2011

Journalist, KwikChex, Reputation Management, roger boyes, Times

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May 28, 2011 – www.einnews.com 24-7 Press Release Reputation Management is a relatively new and growing service, dealing principally with managing online reputation. The Times Berlin correspondent and author Roger Boyes is trying out the Verified by KwikChex service. DORSET, ENGLAND, May 28, 2011 – The Times newspaper wanted to run a feature on Reputation […]

“Online Reviews: Open Season for the Hotel Industry?”

6th April 2011

Chris Lo, hotelmanagement-network.com, KwikChex, Online Reviews, tripadvisor

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Online, peer-to-peer review sites like TripAdvisor hold immense sway over the reputations of hotels and resorts. But with many in the industry complaining of malicious or fraudulent reviews, Chris Lo asks if these sites are doing enough to protect hotels and travellers from misleading or defamatory material. Excerpt (from hotelmanagement-network.com) The problem with TripAdvisor With […]

Duncan Bannatyne reacts to TripAdvisor review

9th January 2011

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Duncan Bannatyne‘s robust response to a negative review regarding one of his hotels posted on TripAdvisor has received widespread support from the industry. The owner of four hotels and Dragons’ Den star writes in this week’s Caterer Viewpoint that he is “well placed to lead the campaign for more protection against the perils of TripAdvisor” […]

KwikChex features on BBC Radio 4 – ‘You & Yours’

14th December 2010

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KwikChex features at 23 minutes into the programme. More information…

TripAdvisor’s ‘worst’ review lists could backfire

2nd December 2010

Ellen Creager, KwikChex, review, SMH, The Sydney Morning Herald, tripadvisor, www.smh.com.au

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Credits: The Sydney Morning Herald By: Ellen Creager “Now, a British reputation management company, KwikChex, is gathering unhappy hotel owners and travel providers in a group to fight back. It’s threatening to file class action suits in Britain and the United States for defamation and libel unless TripAdvisor changes its policies.” “The problem for TripAdvisor […]

KwikChex features in BBC’s The One Show TripAdvisor Report

19th November 2010

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One of the most popular programmes on British television featured a report on the problems with unverified ‘reviews’ last night (Thursday 18th Nov). The One Show highlighted the cases of hotel owners that have had malicious allegations posted against them on the TripAdviosr site, visited owners to get to the truth of the matter, spoke […]

ABC News interviews KwikChex

13th November 2010

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KwikChex was interviewed by ABC News and gave them many examples of the flaws surrounding unverified comments sites, demonstrating how they can be abused by rogue posters and ABC have now reported on the issue and the actions being led by KwikChex.

“TripAdvisor slated by hoteliers at its own lunch”

9th November 2010

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“It was billed as a masterclass: a chance for the hospitality trade to learn how to get the most out of the global travel review site TripAdvisor over lunch at a luxury hotel in London. In the end, TripAdvisor staff ended up facing a barrage of tricky questions from hoteliers, bed and breakfast owners and […]

“Camelot Castle’s owner claims bad TripAdvisor reviews are part of anti-Scientology campaign”

2nd November 2010

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1st Nov 2010 “Camelot Castle’s owner John Mappin has enlisted the help of an ‘online reputation management company’ after his hotel received a series of bad reviews on TripAdvisor. The jewellery magnate, who has been a Scientologist for 20 years, claims he is the victim of a smear campaign by opponents of the controversial religion.” […]

“Legal Action Threatens Fraudulent Reviews on TripAdvisor”

27th October 2010

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26 Oct 2010 “TripAdvisor, a U.S.-based company that has become a popular source for travelers seeking allegedly unbiased reviews on travel destinations and accommodation, is in a controversy over fake review entries. Fraudulent contributions have been made on the free travel guide and research website, misleading readers. Kwikchex, a U.K.-based reputation management company, which represents […]

“Kwikchex vs. Tripadvisor — fighting malicious negative reviews”

26th October 2010

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26 October 2010 “This situation has been brewing for years. Kwikchex’s business is accrediting companies with positive reputations, and working to protect them from defamation. The hotels they are representing are hotels with good reputations, but some very nasty reviews.Kwikchex states that they are not trying to stifle free speech: We “believe that fair criticism […]

“Legal action threatened over TripAdvisor reviews”

25th October 2010

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25 Oct 2010 “On the home page for a travel outfit called Cooking Vacations, tourists are beckoned by the image of fun tools they can wield on their Euro excursions: two forks, a spoon and a knife. But company owner Lauren Birmingham Piscitelli uses another implement to describe her experience with TripAdvisor.com, which reviews Cooking […]

“Hoteliers Look to Shield Themselves From Dishonest Online Reviews”

25th October 2010

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25 Oct 2010 “The 35 million hotel reviews posted on TripAdvisor reveal everything from snooty staff to filthy toilets, and sometimes the reviewer’s overly picky standards. But those comments can also cross the line between honest criticism and unsubstantiated, inflammatory claims, with potentially damaging consequences for some hotels.” Read the full article by Susan Stellin […]

New KwikChex Initiative & Telegraph Article

22nd October 2010

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An article has been published by the Daily Telegraph that outlines a new action being taken by KwikChex on behalf of our members. The following contains more information and clarification: Publication of Suspected Rogue Reviewers List – Actions & ‘Amnesty’ Announcement This action, in common with all others taken or being taken by KwikChex, is […]

“Fake TripAdvisor reviewers face legal action”

22nd October 2010

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22 Oct 2010 “Fraudulent contributors to TripAdvisor, and other user-generated review sites, are to be named and shamed, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. People who post fake online hotel reviews are to be granted a two-week amnesty to remove them or face legal action, it emerged this week. Kwikchex, which describes itself as an online reputation-management company, […]

Guide slams TripAdvisor for malicious reviews

19th October 2010

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The editors of the Good Hotel Guide (GHG) 2011, which is published today, have slammed TripAdvisor for being “brazen and shameless” in printing malicious and collusive reviews without checking their authenticity.

Can you really trust TripAdvisor?

10th October 2010

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“To a small business with only a few reviews, claims of food poisoning can be devastating,” said Chris Emmins of KwikChex, the company bringing the action on the hotels’ behalf. “We have looked at around 100 [of such cases] and there has been no report to the local health authority and we could find no […]

The best hotel review websites (TripAdvisor not included!)

6th October 2010

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6th October 2010 “Anyone can leave a review on TripAdvisor about anywhere, as the reviews can be anonymous and are unverified. Which means, says Adam, that the temptation to abuse the review system is simply far too great. “I know lots of hoteliers who have been approached by PR companies offering to make up glowing […]

KwikChex featured on BBC World Service Radio

1st October 2010

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KwikChex featured on BBC World Service Radio discussing TripAdvisor, The action against them, Bad reviews, plus a clip from one of our hoteliers who has been affected by bad reviews. To download and listen to the mp3 clip – click on the link below: BBC World Service Radio Clip

That no-star review could cost you a packet

26th September 2010

Brook Barn Country House, Chris Haslam, KwikChex, Royal Sportsman Hotel, the times, tripadvisor, www.thetimes.co.uk

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Credits: The Times By: Chris Haslam “Next time you leave a hotel feeling ripped off, hard done by or otherwise aggrieved, take a deep breath before posting that stinking review on TripAdvisor, because it could end up costing you thousands of pounds in legal damages.” “Chris Emmins is the co-founder of KwikChex, a company that […]

KwikChex featured on BBC Radio 2 – Jeremy Vine

17th September 2010

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17th September 2010 Click on the below image to listen.

BBC Radio 4 interviews KwikChex

16th September 2010

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‘You and Yours’ interviews KwikChex about TripAdvisor. Click Here to listen to the Interview

“Hotels prepare to do battle in court with TripAdvisor over reviews”

11th September 2010

Daily Mail, KwikChex in the media, tripadvisor

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11 September 2010 “Hundreds of hotels in the UK and the U.S. could bring legal action against a controversial travel website over claims that its reviews are defamatory. More than 400 hotel and restaurant businesses have indicated they are prepared to join a ‘group defamation action’ against TripAdvisor which claims to be the world’s biggest […]

“TripAdvisor faces legal action from upset hoteliers”

11th September 2010

KwikChex in the media, Telegraph, tripadvisor

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11 September 2010 “Hundreds of hoteliers and restaurateurs could bring legal action against TripAdvisor, the influential reviews website over claims that its reviews are defamatory. TripAdvisor claims to be the world’s biggest travel site, with 35 million reviews, all written by consumers, on its pages. It is increasingly influential with many travellers using the site […]

“Hoteliers to take their revenge on TripAdvisor’s critiques in court”

11th September 2010

KwikChex in the media, The Independent, tripadvisor, www.independent.co.uk

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11 September 2010 “Britain’s biggest travel review website, whose critiques of hotels and restaurants can include damning references to Basil Fawlty-style hotel managers, bed bugs and stomach-churning meals, is facing potential legal action from hundreds of hoteliers and restaurateurs who claim their businesses are being damaged by malicious and unfounded reviews.” For the full article […]

“Online reputation firm launches ‘defamation action’ against TripAdvisor”

8th September 2010

KwikChex in the media, tripadvisor

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08 September 2010 “Up to 1,000 hotel and restaurant businesses could present their grievances about what they see as unfair treatment on the reviews website TripAdvisor by the end of this week, as part of an initiative led by an online reputation management firm. KwikChex.com co-founder Chris Emmins told Caterer that his company would launch […]

KwikChex featured on BBC Radio4

3rd August 2010

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KwikChex featured on BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ – consumer affairs programme.

KwikChex featured on BBC Click

18th July 2010

BBC, BBC Click, fake online feedback, fake review, Fake Reviews, KwikChex

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17th July 2010 BBC Click – The BBC’s flagship technology programme What happens to a business when somebody deliberately fakes online feedback…

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