: As of 2024, the FTC’s Trade Regulation Rule explicitly bans fake reviews, with potential civil penalties of up to $51,744 per violation .

: Savvy buyers look for "red flags" like generic phrasing (e.g., "awesome," "great product"), reviews for items unrelated to the current listing, or a cluster of reviews posted within a very short timeframe.

Buyers and researchers use several methods to identify sellers who may have purchased their reputation: Feedback manipulation policy | eBay

: Manipulating feedback to boost Top Rated Seller status is a direct violation; if caught, eBay may lower your visibility in search results even if the account remains active. How to Spot Fake eBay Reviews

Attempting to bypass organic growth through purchased reviews creates several critical vulnerabilities for sellers: