Re: Google removed links
The first suggestion I would have is to change the link text. If the other party is attempting to alter your link profile to make your links appear spammy by copying your links to spam sites to cause the original links to be devauled, changing that text may undue any penalty.
Second, make sure the links in question are not reciprocal. Google places less wieght on reciprocal links than one way links. Relevance is also becoming more important. If you have a reciprocal link on a car parts site you designed, I wouldn't necessarily be suprised if that link vanished because Google considered it worthless. (This link should probably be marked with nofollow or omitted anyway)
Third, bear in mind that Google is constantly changing their algorithms. They are placing more importance on finding and devaluing links that are paid (or possibly paid) and as a result your position in the serps can fluctuate. A spam report from your competitor is unlikely to result in a manual penalty unless you are doing something blatantly black hat - submissions are reviewed and spammy techniques are then recorded and used to modify how the bots detect black hat techniques.
Fourth, remember that the Google link: query is intentionally inaccurate. The best way to see what links Google knows about and processes is to check webmaster tools.
If there is a standard link you use on every site you develop, and those links make up a significant portion of your link profile, you need to be prepared in case that link is devalued by Google.
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