In Utrecht, fake reviews are strictly prohibited just as in the rest of the Netherlands. Local businesses are not allowed to post false reviews or have them posted, and purchasing positive reviews is considered an unfair commercial practice that misleads consumers.
## What exactly are fake reviews?Fake reviews include reviews that:
- Are not from genuine Utrecht customers
- Have been created by the company itself
- Have been purchased or exchanged for benefits
- Negative feedback that comes from rival local competitors
These practices are misleading and undermine consumer trust in Utrecht, where people often rely on reviews when shopping in the city or online. False reviews fall under unfair commercial practices and can lead to intervention by the Utrecht Court.
## What is allowed for Utrecht businesses?- Inviting customers to share a genuine review
- Reviews from customers who received a small discount, as long as this is transparently disclosed
- Reviews from local influencers, provided they are clearly marked as sponsored
Since 2022, platforms are required to:
- Take action against fake reviews affecting Utrecht users
- Be transparent about their review control mechanisms
- Indicate which reviews are verified in the local context
Watch for these warning signs in reviews about local stores or services:
- Extreme positivity or negativity without substantiation
- General descriptions without specific details about Utrecht experiences
- A sudden influx of reviews in a short time
- A reviewer who has only reviewed this one product or service
Report suspicious fake reviews to the ACM, the platform itself, or seek free advice from Het Juridisch Loket Utrecht for local support. The Municipality of Utrecht can also assist with related consumer matters.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.