|
|
| |
|
|
| |
With the onslaught
of the economic meltdown, almost every business has been
impacted one way or the other. In fact, businesses are rapidly
discovering that the viral in “viral marketing” can be applied
with a vengeance in reputation trashing. It has been observed
that, if your business has a high enough profile, someone is
talking about you at almost any time. A single web posting works
its way into those pesky search engines at light speed, and
anyone, anywhere, can find it.
To illustrate examples that pertain to everyday life and through the permission of
our clients, we have provided various case studies. Through the
client's participation they have allowed their circumstances to
be published with the hope that their ordeal will help aid your
particular matter.
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
| |
|
A tenant dispute in
Los Angeles received a lot of unfortunate attention when a woman
blogged libel statements on multiple sites about her landlord, a
property management company, after she was evicted for being 90
days past due on required rent.
Acting out of anger and looking for revenge, the complaint
stated that the company condoned mold, rats and roaches in their
apartment complex. She reportedly posted: “[blank] Realty is a
moldy, roach and rat infested apartment complex. Look elsewhere
and tell these crooks they can kiss your *ss.”
As a result of the defamatory post, the property management company experienced negative press at
the top of the search engines which reportedly caused
insurmountable damage to their image and prospective
opportunities to work with new customers. |
|
|
 |
|
RESULT: |
| |
Upon coming to us, we
provided a SERM solution that was able to abolish the negative
URL's and suppress them back past the 6th page of the search
engines.
In this particular instance the property management company
first consulted an attorney but realized that the legal fees
outweighed the benefit, of which there was no certainty to its
outcome. Through an attorney they could have tried to sue the
ex-tenant for libel defamation of character but this would not
solve the underlining problem to remove the posts. Sites such as
rip off report thus will never remove any posts and harbor
protection under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
However through the contracted services we provided, the
property management company was able to save over $12,000 in
expected legal fees and enjoys a non-defamatory character over
the net. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
A physician, carrying
over 24 years of experience and no prior malpractice issues,
assisted a patient for their illness. When the doctor helped
diagnose the problem and realized the illness was something
outside of their expertise, they properly referred the
patient to the right specialist so they could undergo suitable
treatment. The patient's family in turn did not understand the
facts to the illness and misperceived the doctor's referral as a
meager claim to refuse care.
Shortly thereafter an onslaught of libel online slander against
the referring doctor transpired. With several negative links
reaching the top of the search engines. With a highly regarded
reputation in his local community, the negative online press was
beginning to devastate the doctor's business.
|
|
|
RESULT: |
| |
Contrary to the report, the patient and their family member were
confronted. The patient adamantly admitted being treated by
other physicians, each of whom agreed that the original treating
doctor did nothing wrong. The patient then admitted that the
postings were emotionally driven and false. The patient agreed
to rebut the posting and sign a cease and desist document.
Although the patient rebutted their own posts, the website kept
all comments associated to the original posting. Unfortunately
the hosting website's ranking of the review did not stop there;
it retrieved the first negative comment of the original posting
topic, backdated it and promoted that negative comment to the
top of their listings of complaints.
Web Reputation Guard diligently worked with the doctors request
to suppress the listings deep within the search engine. Within
six months time we were able to suppress all negative links past
the 9th page of Google and eliminated any further harm to his
practice. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
An apparent customer
posted false and defamatory statements on two different
websites, alleging the auto repair shop and service men
negligently over charged for their services and didn't do the
contracted work.
Other fictitious persons posted comments with
agreement, increasing the visibility and popularity of the
listing. All negative comments became highly visible on organic
Internet search engines such as Google, exacerbating the
original problem.
|
|
|
RESULT: |
| |
The perpetrator behind the defamatory posts was found to be a disgruntled ex-employee,
which only complicated their attempts to try and dismiss the
matter. Once
confronted, the ex-employee initially denied any involvement
with either of the postings. However, Web Reputation Guard,
through its diligence and joint collaborative efforts with the
auto repair shop, presented the ex-employee with evidence proving
otherwise.
Coincidentally though confidentiality laws and federal immunity,
granted to Internet Service Providers through Section 230 of the
Federal Communications Decency Act, limited the available
options for recourse. These measures prevented any negotiation
efforts with the web domain and ISP to remove the postings.
Thus Web Reputation Guard worked on an aggressive SERM project
that removed the postings from the first 5 pages of the major
search engines. Ultimately, the auto repair shop was able to
resume positive monthly sales thereafter. In total the SERM
process was completed in 4 months time. Over seven months later
Web Reputation Guard was able to suppress the negative links
deep in the search engines and provide its client with positive
and neutral links that help further support their online
marketing recognition. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
A university
professor discovered an alarming, anonymous post on rip off
report alleging gross misconduct; including "morally
reprehensible" behavior by the professor with female students.
The post eventually matriculated to the first page of top search
engines, irreparably harming the professor's image. The student
body questioned the posting's content and merit with the
professor and administrative staff. Some enrolled students chose
to drop or transfer out of the class. The situation created
emotional and economic hardships as the professor was put on
temporary leave of absence for alleged misconduct. During this
time he struggled to dismiss the false allegations and defend
his reputation.
|
|
|
RESULT: |
| |
The anonymity of the poster and the Internet Service Provider's
claim of immunity under section 230 of the Communications
Decency Act increased the difficulty of this case. However, after an
exhausting investigation, the professor discovered the posting
originated from a male student, retaliating for a low test score
they received that term. Because rip off report carries a policy
to never remove any postings, although allegations were proven
false, the professor worked with Web Reputation Guard to help
clear his name back to good honor. Web Reputation Guard
implemented defamation protection strategies to address the
issue and bury the negative URL listing.
Upon two months time, Web Reputation Guard suppressed the
negative post results past the 7th page of Google. The
university suspended the student for defamation of character and
the professor returned to work immediately. The incurred costs
to suppress the listing was approximately $1200, of which the
student was held liable for repaying.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
An unscrupulous
individual looking to bring down their competition posted false
and defamatory statements on several websites claiming
misconduct by a manager and owner of a well acclaimed
restaurant. In this case, the defamed business was a credible
BBB Member which held an "A" rating and no prior disputes of any
kind in the past three years.
|
|
|
RESULT: |
| |
Web Reputation Guard reacted right away and implemented SERM and
defamation protection
services. As a result, the negative links were suppressed beyond the
search engine's first 5 pages and further helped propel their
positive online visibility to prospective customers. Web
Reputation Guard was able to completely eliminate their risk
from possible future attacks of online defamation and slander.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
As you can see through the case studies
provided, without
Web Reputation Guard services and defamation protection, internet libel
matters are difficult to resolve. High search rankings, state
privacy laws, freedom of speech and the immunity granted to Internet Service
Providers (ISP's) restrict one's ability to defend and protect their
reputation. These restrictions also limit the remedies available
for legal redress. If these cases ever went to trial, they can
take several thousands of dollars and countless years to resolve.
In each one of these cases, Web Reputation Guard provided the
business or individual the appropriate SERM services specific to
their matter in order to resolve the case in an expeditious,
cost-effective manner. Web Reputation Guard protects its
members, prevents defamatory Internet postings and provides
viable remedies to remove negative posts should they occur. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
