Shopping and Retail
Fake Product Review Scam
Fake Product Review Scam explained in plain English: what to watch for, what to do, and how to practice safely.
Example message
We pay $40 per review. Buy first and we refund after your five-star rating.
What it is
Fake Product Review Scam is a shopping and retail scheme where an ordinary message, call, email, or chat is shaped into an urgent request. It is designed to make you act before checking the source.
How it works
The scam usually starts with a believable prompt such as: “We pay $40 per review. Buy first and we refund after your five-star rating.” From there, the person is pushed toward a link, payment, code, document, or conversation before they can verify the request independently.
Red flags
- Too-good discount or prize
- Small fee to claim reward
- Unfamiliar checkout domain
- No reliable seller history
What to do
- Do not use the link, phone number, or payment instruction from the message.
- Be cautious of review offers requiring purchases, deposits, or false ratings.
- If you entered information or sent money, contact your bank or account provider immediately and save screenshots.
If it already happened
- Stop communicating with the sender.
- Do not send more money or codes.
- Contact the real company, bank, platform, or agency through an official channel.
- Save the message, number, email, and screenshots.
Prevention tips
- Save official websites and app links instead of trusting message links.
- Pause when a request adds urgency, secrecy, or an unusual payment step.
- Be cautious of review offers requiring purchases, deposits, or false ratings.
- Practice the related eSafe Academy training before a real message arrives.
Related scam guides
Practice safely
Try the matching training scenario
Every guide ends with practice. Use the eSafe Academy training flow to rehearse the safe response before a real message arrives.