A federal rule banning fake online reviews took effect Monday.

In August, the Federal Trade Commission issued a rule banning the sale or purchase of online reviews. Under this rule, the agency can also seek civil penalties from people who violate it.

According to the AP, the rule prohibits reviews and testimonials attributed to people who do not exist or are fabricated by artificial intelligence, people who have no experience with the company or products/ services or that misrepresent their experience.

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The rule also prohibits companies from creating or selling reviews or testimonials. Businesses that knowingly purchase fake reviews, obtain them from internal company members, or distribute fake reviews will be penalized. It also discourages companies from using “unfounded or baseless legal threats, physical threats, intimidation or certain false public accusations.”

How can I spot a fake review?

To determine whether an online review is genuine or fake, the Federal Trade Commission informs consumers to check the source of the review.

The agency also offers these helpful tips on their website Also keep in mind:

• Consumers should check when reviews are sent and watch for a burst of reviews over a short period of time. This can sometimes mean the reviews are fake.

• The FTC notes that you should monitor whether the reviewer has written other reviews. If so, read them to get a better idea of ​​how much you can trust this reviewer. If it appears that the reviewer created an account solely to write a product review, that review may be fake.

• You should also not assume that just by looking you can tell the difference between a real review and a fake one. Some reviews may seem suspicious, others may seem real, but it’s often almost impossible to be sure.

• Remember that fake reviews are not always positive. Sometimes a business may post fake negative reviews to harm a competitor.

Consumers can report violations at reportfraud.ftc.gov.