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

ED MAGEDSON RANT: WTF! Stop Littering Our Streets With Political Signs! Nov 10, 2026
New York State Consumer Protection Board letter citing Ed Magedson Feb 4, 2023
Standing Up for the Little Guy Aug 20, 2022

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.

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The Truth About Rip-Off Report® Founder Ed Magedson