Someone Posted Lies About My Business Online: What to Do in the UK
A post claims your business scams customers, breaks the law or did something it never did. It is spreading, and customers are asking questions. Here is how to tell a lie from an opinion, what UK law says, and the fastest ways to get false content dealt with.
What to do if someone posts lies about your business: the short answer
If someone posts lies about your business online, stay calm, save evidence and list exactly which statements are false. Report the post to the platform, since most false posts break platform rules. Reply once, calmly, if allowed. If the post is false, spreading and causing serious financial loss, take advice from a solicitor: in England and Wales, claims generally must be brought within a year.
- Opinions are usually lawful, even harsh ones
- False statements of fact may be defamatory
- Platform reports are usually fastest
- Legal advice matters for serious cases
Is it a lie, or an opinion you do not like?
The law treats false statements of fact very differently from opinions. Before you act, decide honestly which you are dealing with. Getting this wrong is the most common reason businesses make a bad situation worse.
| Type of content | Example | Usual position |
|---|---|---|
| Honest opinion | “Worst service I have ever had. Would not go back.” | Usually lawful, even if harsh |
| True but damaging | “They cancelled my order twice.” (and they did) | Lawful; respond and improve |
| False statement of fact | “This company steals customers’ card details.” (untrue) | Possibly defamatory |
| Fake review | A 1-star review from someone who was never a customer | Breaks platform rules and UK law on fake reviews |
| Private information | Posting a staff member’s home address | Breaks platform rules, may breach privacy law |
| Threats or harassment | Repeated abusive posts targeting you or staff | Breaks platform rules, may be a criminal matter |
When is a false online post about a business defamatory?
Under the Defamation Act 2013, a statement is not defamatory unless it has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm to reputation. For a business that trades for profit, serious harm means it has caused or is likely to cause serious financial loss, and the business must show the statement caused that loss.
- Claims generally must be brought within one year of first publication
- Defences include truth, honest opinion and public interest
- Website operators have a special defence if they follow a set complaint procedure
- Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own defamation laws
This article is general information, not legal advice. Whether a post is defamatory depends on its exact words, context and effect. Speak to a qualified solicitor before making any legal claim.
What to do if someone posts lies about your business online
Stay calm and do not reply in anger
A furious reply is permanent and public. It can also become evidence against you.
Preserve evidence
Take dated screenshots, save URLs, and record any other places the claim has been repeated.
Write down the facts
List exactly which statements are false and the evidence that proves it: records, contracts, emails.
Report it to the platform
Most false posts also break platform rules, such as fake engagement, harassment or misinformation. This is often the fastest route.
Consider a calm public reply
One short, factual reply where allowed can reassure readers while the report is reviewed.
Contact the author if appropriate
If you know who it is and it is safe, a polite private message asking them to correct or remove it sometimes works.
Take legal advice for serious cases
If the post is false, spreading and causing serious financial loss, a solicitor can advise on a letter before claim, a website operator notice or other options.
Faster routes than going to court
Platform reports
- Google, Trustpilot and Glassdoor ban fake and abusive reviews
- Social networks ban harassment and false impersonation
- Most platforms have legal or defamation report forms
- Include evidence and point to the exact rule broken
Search engines
- Google has legal removal request routes for defamation
- Delisting may be possible for unlawful content
- Removed pages can be cleared with the outdated content tool
- Suppression can push lawful but unfair pages down
Mistakes that make things worse
Empty threats are often posted publicly and can spread the story further.
Labelling genuine criticism as defamation damages your credibility.
Fake reviews are illegal in the UK and break every platform’s rules.
Evidence disappears, posts spread and the one-year limit for defamation claims keeps running.
Get false content about your business removed
United Press has protected business reputations since 2001. We assess false posts and reviews, gather evidence, handle platform reports and search engine requests, and work alongside your solicitor where legal action is needed.
Review and post removal
False and rule-breaking content removed. Full refund if a review or link we take on is not removed. See online reputation management.
Google reviews
False Google reviews reported and removed. See remove Google reviews.
Social posts
Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit posts. See Facebook post removal.
Crisis support
Statements and media handling. See crisis PR.
Lies about your business online: frequently asked questions
What can I do if someone lies about my business online?
Save evidence, list exactly what is false, and report the post to the platform. Reply calmly once if appropriate. For serious, spreading falsehoods causing financial loss, take advice from a solicitor about legal options.
Is a negative review defamatory?
Usually not. Honest opinions, even harsh ones, are generally lawful. A review may be defamatory if it makes a false statement of fact that causes serious harm, which for a business means serious financial loss.
Can a business sue for defamation in the UK?
Yes, but under the Defamation Act 2013, a business that trades for profit must show the statement has caused or is likely to cause serious financial loss. The rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How long do I have to take action over a defamatory post?
In England and Wales, defamation claims generally must be brought within one year of first publication. Speak to a solicitor early, because evidence and time both matter.
Will the platform remove a false post?
Often, if it breaks the platform’s rules, such as fake reviews, harassment or impersonation. Report it with evidence and point to the exact rule. Many platforms also have legal report forms.
Should I reply publicly to a false post?
One short, factual reply can reassure readers, if the platform allows it. Never reply angrily or reveal private information, and do not repeat the false claim in detail.
Can I find out who posted anonymously?
Sometimes, through a court order requiring a platform to disclose details. This is a legal process and needs advice from a solicitor.
Can United Press remove false content about my business?
We assess false posts and reviews, gather evidence and handle platform and search engine requests, working alongside your solicitor where needed. Full refund if a review or link we take on is not removed.
The truth deserves to be heard.
A lie can travel fast online. But with clear evidence, the right reports and a calm voice, the truth about your business can catch up.