Ed Magedson | The truth about the founder of Ripoff Report

The author of those words clearly has a strong negative opinion about Ed Magedson. No question there. But what about the facts? Are they true? Is Ed Magedson really a “WANTED criminal”? Is the Ripoff Report a “criminal enterprise” engaged in extortion? What’s the REAL truth behind these allegations?

With so much written about Ed Magedson, the founder of the original consumer complaint website www.RipoffReport.com, it can be hard to separate the facts from the fiction. Most people call him a hero, while others say he’s a criminal. Obviously, someone is lying. So what’s the real story? Who is telling the truth?

Ripoff Report Team Members created this site to help answer that question. Our goal is to help bring the truth to YOU, the educated consumer. We know that some people will never agree with Ed Magedson and his mission to give a voice to the consumer. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but as the saying goes, “you are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.”

If you’re looking for facts about Ed Magedson, you’ve come to the right place. On this site you will find information about Ed’s views, facts about his background, and details of his history as a tireless consumer advocate. We will also confront and expose many of the popular myths about Ed and the Ripoff Report®.

Our goal is NOT to change your opinion about Ed or his work. Instead, we’re here to give you the facts so you can decide for yourself who’s telling the truth and who is not. We hope this helps to set the record straight and to present the real truth that Ed’s critics have worked so hard to conceal.

The record in numbers

Founded: 1997; The original consumer complaint site, first launched as badbusinessbureau.com. Source
Spent defending free speech: $17M+; In legal fees protecting consumers’ First Amendment rights. Source
Lawsuits fought and won: 198; As of 2025, even when up on appeal. Source
Consumer reports: 2M+; Unique reports, plus millions of rebuttals and comments. Source
Collected from those who sued: $4M+; Paid by plaintiffs and their attorneys. Source
Reports removed for money: 0; Never have, never will. Source

Read the record

In the press

Important notice

This website has been hacked multiple times, losing thousands of comments from both supporters and critics of Ed Magedson. Over two dozen restorations have been made, and several hackers have since been caught and imprisoned.

Disclaimer

This blog covers topics that are important to ME and that I want to share with my friends, colleagues, and the public. Feel free to comment on the issue at hand.

THIS IS NOT THE PLACE to bring up specific RipoffReport.com reports.

From the blog

New York State Consumer Protection Board letter citing Ed Magedson Feb 4, 2023
Standing Up for the Little Guy Aug 20, 2022
From Russia, With Reputation Fraud Jun 23, 2012

33 comments

LL Walker September 6, 2022

Mr Magedson, you are a genius. You rock. I’ve used your site dozens of times and have saved my family money because of you. My son in college was ripped off by car dealer in California. He then purchased your book Do it yourself guide to Ripoff Revenge and your money back too. After following your instructions, in less than one hour of my son and his school buddies showing up in front of the dealership with their signs stating the dealer is a ripoff, the manager agreed to refund my son $4,082. They over charged him, long story. They also gave him an extended warrantee for free. Your book worked. I plan on posting a Ripoff Report on all the ways your website helped my family over the past 15+ years when i first discovered ripoff report. Thank you!
D Peterson August 29, 2022

08.28
Dear Editor;

Good evening!!

I wish to express my thoughts and feelings on your Website! The Bill of Rights; Specifically “Right of Speech”, gives every American, man, women, child, the Right to Speak Up and be heard! This is not a Privilege! This is Our Right!

Your Website is Truly Amazing and informs the Public how deceptive and deceitful both individuals and organizations can take advantage of the general public. As a Law Abiding Citizen, we should have a Purge Consumer Day, similar to the movie. The only difference, no fighting amongst ea. other! For example, if ABC org. refuses to refund or credit a customer, due to the organizations fault/negligence. That customer should have the right and select which employee is the causation and take whatever action is required for fair justification. Perhaps you have heard of Hammurbabis’ Code of Ethics!!

Sincerely
Capt. Doug L

If you can’t make them see the light!
Make them feel the heat!!
keep up the Great Work!!
Andera Stevens July 21, 2022

You are a clever man with a good heart. A true hero for helping millions of people. Your readers should know, those who attack you, they are the guilty ones trying to hide their dirty deeds. Kudos to you Ed Magedson.

AS
B Brooks July 20, 2022

Mr Ed Magedson, your Ripoffreport.com website helped me save $800. I’ve read all the pages on this site. You are a remarkable man. After reading the articles on your website, I remember my parents worked for you to support themselves going thru collage. My parents sold flowers for your Flower Children business in Miami Florida in 1973. They told me what a generous and caring person you were back then and how you helped them. I showed them this website along with Ripoff Report and how you’ve helped day-labor workers. They are so proud they worked for you. They said, this is something Ed Magedson would do. They will be reaching out to you.
The Lester Family July 19, 2022

Mr Magedson, I have to express my appreciation to you for taking my phone call spending hours with me, the time you took helping my family to get back our $80,000 from our builder who ripped us off. I know you said you would not accept any payment from us, so We are going to make a big donation to ripoff report.com for all that time you spent with us. When i told you we were going to give a $20,000 retainer to an attorney, you took it so personally, you convinced me and my husband to use your concept. Thankfully our daughter found your site, its a blessing. We will be telling all our friends on Facebook. I know you said you were not a religious person, but respected everyone for what they wanted to believe in. Mr Magedson, you are a blessing to everyone. T Lester
John Beaudrue February 26, 2021

The author of that report is bang on!!! Ed is just a scum bag that with no morals or scruples and should be convicted for the biggest criminal enterprise created to date. Then he should be publicly judged!!!Ed Magedson is just a punk and a real asshole. I would like to meet him one day!!!!
Jack Shepard November 20, 2020

Ed-
Thank you for giving a forum for the truth.
Thank you for giving a small victim the chance to stand up to a powerful criminal.
Thank you for the ability to bring truth to light.
You are a great man!

Jack
patrick p. cosgrove February 14, 2020

I cannot really know how to thank Ed enough — imagine a person strong enough, determined enough to stand up against everyone who would rip off the ‘common man,’ us lowly beings in the work forces of the Western World.
The number of men, in the last 5 centuries, who have profited enormously, illegally, immorally or unethically from the lowly man, this number is countless and the motive is always the same
more money. As for men like Ed their number is probably less than 10! Thank you, Ed, for your service to the populace!
Bill Oakes January 19, 2020

Ed , you have saved me from scammers more times than
Todd January 11, 2020

Ed, you are a true American hero. Giving a voice to people that corporations would prefer to be silenced, and refusing to back down. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.
Michael Wilhelm December 21, 2019

GREAT SERVICE TO YOUR FELLOW MAN tHANK yOU .
Monique R Coates October 9, 2019

Thank you for this site Ed. It has been my GO TO for the truthful reviews from many consumers about scam companies for years now. I appreciate the honesty!
CS
Charlie Solak October 5, 2019

Dennis Muracco harmed me. That is why each bank and reporting agency took out one million each on each card and the three reporting agencies, one each.

I don’t claim to understand why he did what he did. I have been trying to get criminal charges against him for a year/

Chase bank filed a false report against HIPPA Law with my local police. ID”S by the two police. Did the same with Medicaid, did the same with Adult Protective Services, federal and state felonies plus add on’s.
1. Charlie Solak October 5, 2019
  
  Without the website, this is so twisted only 3 out of 253 people I have talked to saw the big picture instantly.
  
  The amount of information is enormous. The proof can not be refuted and I only use this site for alleged criminals.
Denny May 19, 2019

Thank you for your website, http://www.ripoffreport.com

Very good and I like it so much. ??????

I can expose the SCAMMER who scammed us in business.

The scammer is from the UK :

Name : SAMMY DALE
IG name : mrsammydee
Phone : +44 7790600600
email :

He scammed us for total amount of USD 3514.50
nikki montgomery April 27, 2019

My name is Nikki Montgomery I have a complaint about a report filed against a rootworker by the name of Emily Halifax. Apparently she has had other clients she had scammed for money and not doing their work. This woman has posted a rebuttal to your site regarding the accusations accusing me of fabricating a article. i don’t know why she would assume i did that but i don’t appreciate my name being publicated under that report when you guys haven’t verified if i done such.I am asking that you respect me by removing my name from the report unless you have proof i did such
Izabel January 27, 2019

Hi Ed
This website ROR (under your control) but to make it easy for everybody why dont you asked them before any complaints of their IDs to be attached the name and phone numer . If accusation is true they should attach own ID, names, proofs and anything relating to accusations.
How they can demage peoples name companies name reputation as anonymous?
Let’s them work on both side and pay for they acton and reaction.
If I don’t like my friend for example or I be hurt by man etc this gives me rights to destroy his name and reputation ?

Why you don’t turn the website now, time for changes
Ask every poster about the ID etc don’t let them enter without they real ID.
They so confident to destroy people life’s
coz they are coward and they never show they face but they ruin others life without any consequences . People in mask
Do something it’s time for it ….and believe me you gain more respect mean something more valuable you cannot buy for any price

Izabela

Izabela,

Thank you very much for your comment, and the concept of asking for ID seems like a good idea at first. However, let me explain two things.

First, Ripoff Report already does “verify” people by making users sign up for a new account with a valid email address (no one can post reports unless they provide a valid email address which they must confirm by clicking a validation link that we send). This level of validation is standard for our industry and it means that if there is any problem or concern over the accuracy of a report, we have at least some chance of being able to contact the author.

Second, while asking people to “provide ID” may seem like a way of making reports more reliable, the truth is it really would do very little to help. Here’s why — people could still send us IDs that are either completely fake, or which are real but belong to someone else. Just Google “identification card” and you will see 100s of IDs available online that you can simply copy and download.

Ripoff Report is not a government agency, so unfortunately we cannot verify IDs or take some other step to stop people from lying. In fact, consider this — even when people are dealing with government agencies like the court system, they STILL often lie and spread false information (even under oath). This is just an unfortunate reality of life.

However, I strongly believe that most people are smart enough to understand that the reviews/reports they read online must be take with a grain of salt. Yes, it’s possible for people to post false information on Ripoff Report, but it’s just as easy for someone to post a false review on Yelp, Amazon, Trip Advisor, etc. I have been involved in this field for 20+ years, and I do not believe that a single bad review or negative online comment will “ruin someone’s life”. That is just not how life works. If your company has one really bad review (which happens to be fake) but it’s still a good company with tons of positive reviews, then you are going to be successful no matter what.

–ED
Royal December 25, 2018

Mr. Ed Magedson I came across your website and found the same company who charged an unauthorized amount on my credit card. The consumer’s report was similar to what happen to me. I said what an awesome website where you can report a rip off or scam that happen to you so other consumers could beware of or alerted to the company’s rip off or scam tactics.

Man you provide an invaluable and much needed outlet for consumers to report their frustration with being ripped off and victims of a scam. I thank God for you. Keep up the good work and may your website continue to grow and be a wonderful outlet for frustrated consumers. Let the buyer beware.

Royal,

Thank you very for the comment — so happy to hear RipoffReport.com helped you!

–ED
Rich croft November 25, 2018

Maybe you should get the facts the information on Jack Croft is inaccurate
AB
Alan Boden November 20, 2018

Your rent said nothing about the accusation against you Dash that you charge thousands of dollars for the rebottle report from businesses that are accused of ripping off consumers. This seems disconcerting at the very least. It doesn’t seem like a level playing field for both businesses and consumers when there is this kind of charge level at a defending business….

Alan,

Sorry — it looks like maybe you dictated this on your phone? In any case, it seems you have received inaccurate information about how Ripoff Report works. We NEVER “charge thousands of dollars” if a company wants to respond to a complaint. This is called a “rebuttal” and it’s 100% free. We have never charged even one penny to allow anyone to post a rebuttal, but don’t take my word for it — just pick any report on our site and then try to post a rebuttal. If you do that, you can easily confirm that rebuttals are 100% free….always have been, always will be.

— ED
1. Chris January 15, 2019
  
  Ed you know as well as we do that posting a rebuttal raises the search ranking and places your rebuttal in a non prominent, easy to miss place in the page.
2. Allieson January 16, 2019
  
  I think this is great. I got ripped off so bad from Zwerl, Heysphere and sphere Knowledge Limited.
3. Ruth Barron April 16, 2019
  
  I can vouch for Ed and “rebuttals.” I posted a rebuttal just minutes ago against an on-line dating site. There was absolutely NO CHARGE for me to do this. THANK YOU, Ed and RipOffReport.com
  
  for a GREAT way to RESOLVE online and in person Consumer Fraud and Scams when someone has been Unsuccessful in doing so by themselves.
Tina d Wade July 13, 2018

Surplus Diabetic Supplies, LLC aka cashnowoffer.com they ripped me off big time..i sent my stuff in but they refuse to pay me .could u help please?
Emily Hummel May 5, 2018

Ed, I went to Jason B Diamond in 2007. I lost weight from 110 to 98 in about a week and a half. I was 48 and saw him on TV on E. He was assisting other popular cosmetic surgeons. He spent about 10 minutes in my preliminary consultation that what I was requesting was a piece of cake and it was a little more involved and he had done the same thing to prior patients all over the world and given one sheet of paper, period. No pros and cons etc. The night before surgery, after taking 28,000 from me that I obtained from a credit card at a low interest rate via a cash advance and sent them a certified check, he comes in and voices a different tune that made me feel uncomfortable about the whole thing. I asked if I could think about it after flying there from Northern California. He said sure and left me in a room with fluorescent lighting that clearly showed the areas I was not happy with for an hour. I asked if I could receive the money I gave them, very unhappy with his bait and switch last minute reservation of what he could really do for me. I was told by the woman who was in charge of payments that I could only receive half my amount back. He said he would take his time with me and do a great job. I went along with it due to his reassurance and the money I would be out. I went to him after seeing him on tv and he said he performs everything internally in the ear instead of outside the ear where a scar would be visible. He filled my face with fat according to the after care. I vomited three times before I was given anything. I couldn’t see as I assume I had ointment so that night I was afraid for my eyesight. He finally came down and checked me out. He wanted my cell phone and I would not give it up. What is worse trying to get my husband down there while laying down or ivomiting three times. I went down there repeatedly by plane. I had to spend the money for a hotel and he always used some type of bs excuses as he was trying to buy time for any type of arbitration to be null and void. Towards the end he saw me, then sent me to a colleague dentist in which I had to pay a taxi fee only for his colleague to tell me I had TMJ. I don’t have TMJ and what originally was going to be about five areas of stitching and not noticeable, he finally admitted he had put 100 stitches internally for the cheek lift after all. He also said he was a member of the American Board of Plastic surgery which requires more schooling and operations but in reality is an ENT and a member of the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery which members are considerably less that the aforementione organization.. He cares about money, lies, advertises he played baseball in college, a narcissist who has had me in pain with swollen muscles and tightness in all areas he worked on. My physician was finally notified by myself and my husband and I have to take muscle relaxants etc because of him otherwise I am in horrendous discomfort. He was on E I heard from a friend trying to sell his ear reduction technique. I would tell anyone to stay clear of him . He is likeable and will sell your company, others and myself a believable story of his honesty and integrity on his expertise etc .
It is all bs and I still suffer and wake up in the morning with tight muscles and nerve pain I assume and I am left to take my medication but need to take a warm shower beforehand to help relax my muscles etc in all areas he performed surgery in and the second opinions was that he was way too invasive and wish I could go back in time and just not have ever seen him on E. When I asked for my report. His post operative report signed by him only covered him in all areas. I just don’t want others to go through the nightmare I have been going through for 11 years. HE IS A JOKE WHO CARES ABOUT THE MONEY MORE THAN THE LIVES OF WHAT HIS PATIENTS WILL ENDURE AFTER THE FACT. Thank you for your time in reading this and everything I have told you is the truth and not defamation of character as I have prescriptions I take to live somewhat comfortable for 28,000 as they allow Ear Nose Throat Specislists who belong to the Plastic and Reconstructive organization to perform cosmetic surgery from the neck up and lied to me about belonging to the American Board of Plastic Surgery, totally different.
Larry April 23, 2018

Thanks for inventing this page ?
And the use of The Freedom of Speech
David Armstrong April 17, 2018

Thank you for your work. I’m grateful for the opportunity to let others know how poorly I was treated.
Ted January 28, 2018

Hello from Ted in Chicago! Keep up the good work Ed! Finally there is an honest website to put the facts out there about shady businesses, and individual crooks. Thank you Ripoff Report!
Denise Good September 17, 2017

I’d like to thank Rip-off. Com for helping mei had a problem getting my money back from Assure Companies. After many phone calls, posting on your site, writing e-mails to the company, they are finally refunding my money. Thank you.

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The Truth About Rip-Off Report® Founder Ed Magedson