New protections for you when you write a review

Businesses can't use contracts that prevent consumers from writing a truthful review, or penalize them if they do, according to a new federal law.

If a business, including an online business, uses contract terms or conditions that limit your right to comment, it’s breaking the law, and the Federal Trade Commission can investigate.

People benefit from reading what others have to say about their experiences with products and services. Before the Consumer Review Fairness Act passed, a company might sue customers who wrote honest but negative reviews, or claim they had to pay much more than the advertised price for the product. Now, Congress has made that illegal, said Bridget Small, consumer education specialist for the FTC. 

Reading customer reviews and comparing products online are great ways to get information before you buy, Small said.

If you have a problem with a company after you write a product review, you can report it to the FTC.

Copyright 2016, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist