Furniture retailer issued warning by consumer watchdog for posting fake five-star reviews

SINGAPORE: Furniture retailer Loft Home Furnishing has been given a warning after being caught publishing fake five-star product reviews on its website following an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS). 

The fake reviews were posted between November 2022 and August 2023, said CCCS in a media release on Friday (Jun 21). 

Investigations began last October after some customers complained that reviews containing their initials were posted on the website without their knowledge. 

“The reviews gave glowing recommendations on the quality of the purchased furniture, and contained actual photos of the furniture displayed in the customers’ homes,” said the consumer watchdog. 

It identified fake five-star reviews that appeared to be made by at least seven customers. 

CCCS concluded that Loft Home Furnishing and two of its related businesses, Loft Home Furniture and Loft Industries, were responsible for posting those reviews. 

“Investigations revealed that only they had access to the customers’ information and were in possession of the photos used in the reviews,” said CCCS.

It added that Loft Home Furnishing has since removed the fake reviews identified during investigations.

A check by CNA on Friday afternoon shows that the company’s website still has over 13,000 product reviews by customers, the majority of whom gave a five-star rating.