Someone is threatening one-star reviews unless I pay. What do I do?

Why shouldn't you pay?

Because paying doesn't end it. Google's help page on extortion says payment can encourage further attempts and doesn't ensure the reviews get removed. The pattern is familiar, according to Google Maps: someone threatens one-star reviews until you pay, often by gift card, voucher or cryptocurrency.

Don't reply either. A response shows them the message landed and gets you nowhere. The same goes for offering a free meal to make it stop.

What should you save right away?

The sooner the better, Google says. Reviews can disappear and accounts can change.

How do you report it to Google?

1. Use the separate merchant extortion form linked from Google's help page, not just the normal report button.
2. Give your contact details, business name, address and profile link, plus the reviews and how the person contacted you.
3. Attach your screenshots and files.
4. Wait for the investigation. Google tells you the result but not the details.

This route is only for real demands for money or favours. For spam and the like, use the normal route we explain in getting a review removed.

Should you go to the police?

Yes, if someone is threatening you and asking for money. In Germany, extortion is a crime under Section 253 of the Criminal Code, punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine. Whether your case meets that test is for the authorities to judge. Google Maps also points to reporting scams to government agencies. Bring your evidence list. Outside Germany, your local police are still the right place to start. A police reference number is also useful for your own records.

What do you tell your guests?

Not much. Don't answer individual reviews with accusations you can't back up. A short, plain reply is enough: you can't find a visit that matches, and you've reported the review. Our article on answering bad reviews shows how to keep it calm. After that, what always helps still helps: plenty of new, genuine reviews from your regulars.

How do genuine reviews come in without pushing anyone?

Most easily when happy guests don't have to search for your profile first. On the NFCeez Smart Page, the link to your Google review sits at the very top. You add the link once in the app, and guests open the page from an NFC sticker or QR code at the table. There's no reward for reviewing, because Google forbids that. The limit: NFCeez doesn't delete reviews and can't stop an extortionist. For that, the route through Google and the police stays the same.

What do you do first?

Your next step: create a folder today, save every message in it, and send the form before you do anything else.