Ripoff Report

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The Rip-off Report (ROR) is a privately-owned and operated website with the stated purpose of giving consumers a voice in disputes with corporations and public figures. Aggrieved individuals are asked to submit their complaints, and, after being screened, those statements are posted online with the expectation that public exposure will apply pressure to the targeted businesses. The administrator of Rip-off Report, Ed Magedson, solicits descriptions of scams and rip-off claims and publishes those reports as examples of corporate fraud.

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[edit] Background

The Rip-off Report has been described as "the National Enquirer"[1] of watchdog sites; with its scandalous headlines and sensationalized graphics, the website can draw attention to the alleged offenders. Many users enjoy the opportunity to vent online; Mr. Magedson often promises eventual media attention and/or legal action. The site claims to have helped consumers settle their disputes with the offending companies, and, given the high-profile nature of the Rip-off Report on several search engines, those claims carry some weight.

One added feature offered by the Rip-off Report is the "Corporate Advocacy and Remediation Program". As a companion service to the main web page, this add-on provides assistance to businesses who've been targeted on the Rip-off Report. Mr. Magedson offers his services to help companies handle online complaints – specifically those posted on the Rip-off Report – and very often those complaints are rescinded. The "advocacy and remediation" element of this resource involves a consulting fee. This appears to be one aspect of the revenue stream at the Rip-off Report. Mr. Magedson bills his program as something that benefits both consumers and businesses, and he promises to reduce the number of complaints received by companies who retain his services.

[edit] Criticism and lawsuits

Rip-off Report allows consumers to post complaints anonymously. The accused companies are allowed to post rebuttals. ROR's high rankings in the Internet search engines lead to frustration by some companies who feel they are being victimized by complaints that may or may not have any merit. Also a company (Federated Financial) that has expressed personal threats towards ROR's owner has been deprived from writing (further) rebuttals, leading to increase of frustration.

There are a number of allegations against Ed Magedson and the Rip-off Report which are easily found online. Several sites have been erected by disgruntled companies, solely devoted to attack ROR and its owner. Also many allegations have been posted on Internet message boards.

The charges all stem from his alleged manipulation of information found on the Rip-off Report, and his alleged attempts to extort money from companies in exchange for removing (or editing) complaints posted on his website. It is also alleged by these companies that Magedson posts libelous statements about them if they do not comply.

Some companies have sued or expressed the intention to file suit against Magedson.[2][3][4] Magedson however says he has never lost a case or removed a report as a result. [5][6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ itsbadbusiness.com – Ripoff Report - A Great Place to Check Out Before You Get Scammed
  2. ^ bad-business-rip-off.com – Website by Federated Financial (Dot com down as of 10 Dec 2006, but bad-business-rip-off.netis still up.
  3. ^ ezripofflawsuit – International Creative Artists, Helene Goldnadel, ezbc.com and ripoffreport.com lawsuit
  4. ^ WSVN Orlando Fox 7News, date unknown WMV video Carmel Cafiero: "Risky Business"
  5. ^ ABC Action News, November 28, 2006 Consequences of Complaining Online, An Action News Consumer Special Report By Nydia Han
  6. ^ 19ActionNews November 29, 2006 19 Action News video Danielle Serino - Consumer Alert: Ripoff Report

[edit] External links

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