Fake Google Reviews Are the New Cyber Threat Targeting UK Small Businesses
Over the past week, a new kind of cyber attack has been sweeping across the UK — and it’s hitting small, local businesses the hardest. Chimney sweeping companies, often family-run and built on trust and local reputation, have become the latest victims of a coordinated wave of fake Google review attacks.
Dozens of these businesses have been suddenly flooded with 1-star reviews from overseas accounts, damaging their hard-earned reputations overnight. To make matters worse, many of these fake reviews are followed by demands for payment in exchange for their removal — a digital form of extortion.
These aren’t large corporations with dedicated PR teams. These are independent tradespeople, community businesses, and family operations that depend on local word-of-mouth and online reviews to survive.
And yet, they’re being targeted.
This alarming trend is a stark reminder that cyber security is no longer optional — even for small, local businesses.
When reputation becomes a cyber target
In today’s world, your online presence is part of your business identity. Customer reviews, social media profiles, and local listings have real financial value — which means they’re now prime targets for attackers.
Fake review campaigns are not random acts of trolling; they’re deliberate attacks designed to cause panic, damage trust, and extort money. For a small business that relies on search visibility, even a handful of bad reviews can push down rankings, scare away customers, and cause lasting harm.
Reputation management and cyber security are now inseparable. Protecting your data isn’t enough — you must also protect your brand’s credibility.
A real example: Sweep Sisters fights back
One small business that faced this exact attack is Sweep Sisters, a trusted chimney sweeping company in the UK. Overnight, their Google profile was flooded with fake 1-star reviews, threatening to undo years of honest, hard work.
Fortunately, the Pilotiq team was ready to step in. We helped Sweep Sisters identify the fake accounts, report the fraudulent reviews, and secure their digital presence. Our monitoring systems and response planning ensured they could act quickly and confidently — without giving in to extortion.
Many small businesses aren’t so lucky. Most don’t have the expertise or resources to deal with sudden reputation attacks. That’s why having a cyber resilience plan is so critical.
Cyber resilience is more than IT security
When people think about cyber attacks, they imagine hackers breaking into systems or stealing data. But modern cyber threats are far broader. They include online impersonation, social engineering, review manipulation, and digital extortion — all of which can devastate a small business.
A solid cyber resilience plan includes:
Monitoring your online presence for suspicious reviews or listings
Backup and recovery strategies for your digital assets
Security training to help teams recognize threats
Incident response planning to react fast when attacks happen
Partnering with trusted experts who can take action before damage spreads
Cyber security isn’t just about technology — it’s about trust, continuity, and reputation.
Nobody is too small to be attacked
If there’s one takeaway from these recent attacks, it’s this: no business is too small to be a target. Whether you’re a tradesperson, a consultant, or a retailer, your online reputation is a valuable asset — and attackers know it.
At Pilotiq, we help businesses of every size protect their digital presence. From cyber security and managed IT services to proactive monitoring and rapid incident response, we ensure that your technology and your reputation stay secure.
Fake reviews, phishing scams, ransomware — these threats evolve every day. But with the right protection and a trusted partner by your side, you can stay one step ahead.
Your reputation is your business. Let’s keep it safe. Visit Pilotiq to learn how we can help protect yours.