Robert Pearce said the hacker gained access to a Facebook account operated by his wife, Danielle, and had even downloaded her profile photo of their family.

Mr Pearce, whose name appeared on the reviews, is bearing the brunt of the community's backlash, and claims his 11-year-old child has also been bullied as a result of the incident.

"I work as a casual at a supermarket and the staff have been coming up to me saying they were shocked and dumbfounded that I had done such a thing," he said.

Mr Pearce has lived in Eden for eight years and said he had always tried to be a model citizen, including working as an SES volunteer and supporting the school.

Trip Advisor is an American-based website providing reviews of travel-related content. 

It includes interactive travel forums in which people from all over the world can post reviews.

Businesses targeted by the bogus derogatory reviews included the popular eateries Great Southern Inn, Hooked on Seafood and Pizza Holic.

"I haven't even stepped inside some of the businesses I was supposed to have reviewed," Mr Pearce said.

The reviews created a storm on social media, with many people springing to the defence of the defamed businesses.

"I contacted Trip Advisor and they agreed to immediately take down the reviews," Mr Pearce said.

Mr Pearce has also contacted the Australian Federal Police.