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Did your favorite celebrity reach out to you on social media?

Before you get too excited, are you sure it’s that person? Really sure? We’ve heard reports that scammers, who will try just about anything to separate you from your money, are now posing as celebrities on social media. They’re asking fans to send money for all kinds of supposed reasons – like claiming a prize, donating to a charity, or giving help of some kind. Some celebs do raise money for legitimate causes. But you want to be sure the cause—and the person asking you to support it—are real.

Imposter scams come in many varieties, but they all work the same way: a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money. And that’s exactly what these celebrity imposters are trying to do.

So what should you do if a celebrity contacts you on social media and asks for money?

  • Slow down. Before you send money, talk with someone you trust.
  • Do some research: search online for the celebrity’s name plus “scam.” Do the same with any charity or cause they’re asking you to support—and learn more about charity scams here.
  • Never send money, gift cards or prepaid debit cards to someone you don’t know or haven’t met – even celebrities you meet on social media.
  • If you sent money to a scammer, contact the company you used to send the money (your bank, wire transfer service, gift card company, or prepaid debit card company). Tell them the transaction was a fraud. Ask the company to reverse the transaction, if it’s possible.
  • Report your experience to the social media site and to the FTC.

To learn more about imposter scams, visit FTC.gov/imposters.

Search Terms
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Dreamcatcher D…
July 01, 2020
I have two PEOPLE claiming to be country MUSIC SINGERS by the name of George Strate and Alan JACKSON and Gary ALLEN..all of them are asking me for money for a meet and GREET. So that i can meet them in person what can i do about it .
garden goddess
July 14, 2020
The scammers on Instagram are now RAMPANT WITH this pandemic! I have had an interaction with one "Kevin Costner" for a while b/c i wanted to wait for the sucker punch - took me to Hangouts which is their thing so Insta cant block them if you report... after about a week - there is came "Do you have a bitcoin machine near you?" Umm. No. And a few more messages - then the big kahuna - "I will tell you a secret my wife can't know - I have a bank in england, will you go and get money out for me then transfer it to your bank and then we can pay things when I need to with you" ... yeahhhh - sure Kevin, we can do thatttt! LOL The bank website was called FAU Bank, there is no such bank in England. AND< the website still had latin at the bottom on it - so umm, not real Kevin!!!! good lord - no end to what scammers will do!!!! kevincostner modernwest14 - if he asks you to do the same! LOL Just say 'sorry babe'... Since then at least FIVE more Kevin Costners have followed me on Instag. Give it a rest guys! Last year there was a "Kevin Bacon" who contacted me and for a month professed romance! So sweet - then crucially told me he and Kyra were a lie, it was all a big PR hoax. (umm doesn't look like it in lockdown buddy!) and then he said she and his mangement co take all his money. Could I send him $6300 for his legal bills. I said, "let's facetime". He came onto Google Hangouts - and DID actually call me. What they did was take a bit of footage on Kevin's insta and edit out the sound - it looked like he was trying to talk to me ... but - no sound. I kinda remembered some video that looked like that in his feed. Yup appeared to be that. He said it was bad service and he was trying to tell me he loved me. Kyra's gonna be mad... he EVEN asked for money the day my father in law died??? Sheesh - I said - in not so many polite words - buzz offemail kevinbacon6525 at
Chihuahua0157
July 03, 2020
I have a support David Archuleta talking to me but he have ask me for steam and Apple Card’s but he said supposedly he coming to meet next week and I supposedly have his number but I try to call him it’s a text now number but he said that he using he Computer to text me but I don’t know if it’s real
swati dewangan
July 05, 2020
Something similar is happening to me, I m chatting with Johnny Depp, which I don't believe. He wanted money to be sent for purchasing the fan ticket, which I don't understand the concept.
Nancy
July 12, 2020

In reply to by swati dewangan

Be careful. He is a scammer.
Helen
July 09, 2020
A Hangouts scammer Who’s pretending to be David Boreanaz.... extorting large sums money for All sorts of issues. Supposedly divorcing his wife . Came through Instagram asking me to join hangouts. Said he was David and like to talk to his fans then added couldn’t out of a certain country and needed money To get flight out and that his bank had frozen his asset to to fraudulent use by his staff! ...
Georgia
July 14, 2020
My friend is being scammed by a person impersonating to be David Boreanaz He’s clever and has taken huge amount of money from her! I’m angry he’s getting away with it! He uses Hangouts to contact with the following Officialdavidboreanaz7@ or davidboreanaz330@ Please do something to stop him and take note he’s very plausible! Don’t get dubbed
Shannay
July 10, 2020
I loved reading all these comments.. It seems like internet scamming must be pretty big.. On FB, I already block people I don't know from adding me by taking away the add button.. And my Insta is private, too.. So, today, on Insta.. I get a message from a SUPER FAMOUS Korean actor, and in pm, he asks me to add him, that and that he is suprising fans by writing, and uses a separate account because his verified account has too many messages. So, being a FAN of his.. I continue with some excitement/but more skepticism than hope.. It started pretty normal, and I caught on before he asked for money or whatever.. So, I just said.. Oh I gotta go.. Take care, and peace.. because he asked had made comments that were strange, why would a mega famous actor want to know MORE ABOUT ME, and also why would he ask me about my finances.. RED FLAG!!!!! Okay, so I reported him as pretending to be someone else, then blocked him, then wrote to the page of the actual star OFF page, or verified.. to let them know and sent them the posers profile in a screen shot.. It is weird though, because I could view the conversation I had with him, but when I got home from a walk, I tried to find it, so I could screen shot all of it.. and it wasn't there, even though I had blocked that user, I had still been able to see our conversation.. Then, I looked up on google, what scams on Instagram posing as stars and came to this page.. So, guys.. NO STAR will send a PM and ask you to donate money.. They normally put that stuff on their main page, an official page, if it is FB, on Insta, I haven't seen that.. But, what kind of super rich celeb is gonna ask for an Amazon card or even to donate to an orphanage or charity when they know that people are victims of scams online. ... JUST DON'T GIVE MONEY.. And, furthermore, please try not to engage because it just encourages them.. They will eventually find people to scam and take them money.. But, in this day and age, no one has to be a victim of INTERNET SCAMS!! Thank you..
JetJet
December 10, 2020

In reply to by Shannay

Is it Lee Joon Gi??? It sounded the same tactics! LOL
Decbaby25
July 11, 2020
I'm having the same experience right now, he contacted me on instagram and same as always put on hangouts, we chat and then after a few days this guy vocalist of a band ask me to donate into a foundation that helps orphan on west africa, i just went along not sending any money. I am trying to lure him as much he was trying to lure me. Just don't send anything that's the key
Gruesome
July 11, 2020
I was approached by someone who claimed to be Liam Hemsworth through his instagram account. He wanted to switch over to WhatsApp to chat. He was all gloomy about his breakup with Miley an I consoled him. Soon he was getting into money. Wanted to know my credit score, wanted me to donate to a charity. When I asked him to lay off, he took offense. That ended it. I changed some important passwords and all is well. The scam attempt failed
Tc
March 17, 2021

In reply to by Gruesome

Did he promise to send you money, then get on about you sending him some, giving you his bank account details.
Mean_girl21
July 24, 2021

In reply to by Gruesome

I just had the same thing happen to me but he said that he wanted me to download WhatsApp cause I was accepted into a challenge to win money and the chance to meet him. I downloaded it and sent my number to him through WhatsApp. Idk if this was the wrong thing to do. I instantly regretted it and deleted the app and blocked him. I ended up sending my email. But in thinking changing passwords is a must. But would I need to change my number too?
Patty54
July 12, 2020
Yes normally IC3 is suppose to handle these complaints I have had 7 imposters of Post Malone and there also doing to all the celebrities alone they keep on contacting me and they wont leave me alone I want them picked up and arrested I got all there email addresses that's has went from Instagram to Hangouts and also to WhatsApp too if you need that information let me know I want the real ones to know there fan is going to see tok it these scumbags get arrested and jailed where they need to be. The CEO's of Facebook,Instagram and Twitter need to start changing there networks more safer for these imposters to get on there and use these celebrities names and pics and use fake email address that needs fixed by Yahoo and Google. I have had enough I done got my money stolen and I got the address still where it went and the real person's name Hunter Gabe is his real name I want my money back it was $740 he took that $40 was from steam cards and I have more than enough screenshots and emails and pics of that scumbag using fake drivers license and social security card also of Post Malone's. I have had death threats by 4 of them cussed out and you name it. I will file the charges too and sue them for mental anguish on me and trust me he wont have no million dollars sitting in his bank account after I get done suing him. It's all coming from the same IP address too if you all need that I have those numbers all but 1 is the same.
Slimpickens
July 13, 2020
I have just recently started chatting on Instagram. Within the last 3 days, I have been scammed from 3 different fake country music stars. All 3 asked me if I was on Hangouts after doing so they started asking personal questions about my life. Toby Keith's imposter said I won a contest and he sent me pictures of a red pickup truck, 4000 dollars, and tees shits and sweatshirts, etc. I asked what happens next and he said I had to send him 300.00 for the processing fee and then the prizes would be sent to me. I told him I didn't have 300.00 and asked if he could send my prizes COD or take the 300.00 out of my 4000. Winnings. He said he couldn't do that because the fee had to be paid first. I told him I didn't have it and he asked how much I could send. I told him I couldn't send anything. He said the prizes wouldn't be sent until the processing fee was paid. Now everyday he texts me and asks me if I have the money. Then Luke Bryan started texting me and told me he would like to help me out since I had been laid off. He asked if I had Cash App. He wanted me to install it on my phone. I told him there were too many, which one should I use. He took a picture of the cash app and sent it to me . Now everyday he texts me and asks if I installed it yet. Lastly, Trace Adkins he has offered to help me out since I wasn't working. He was going to send me money, a laptop, and jewelry but I had to send him a picture of my debit card front and back, name and address and a processing fee of 58.00. I am sure all these are imposterst so please, please be careful and don't give any information to these JERKS no matter what they tell you. Does anyone know who we can turn these people into to get them caught?
Monica
September 04, 2020

In reply to by Slimpickens

What are ID hangouts? Is it the same as the real celebrity name? Can you get back all your money?
Tom cruised scammed
July 14, 2020
Someone on Facebook on the account Tom Mapother private tried to scam me out of a Steam card.
Eliasmun
July 15, 2020
My mother has been duped by one of these. About three years ago she was reached out to by someone claiming to be Kevin Spacey. It was a constant back and forth, with him claiming that he ‘loved her’. My father ended up leaving over this (he’s since come back), and during the time he was gone this guy had mom buy ITunes cards. Now they’re talking again, and my mother is starting to fall into the same trap. She’s utterly convinced it’s not the same person even though it is (and we even talked about it when it started again) and won’t listen to reason.
Sunnyday123
July 15, 2020
I actually went through this very recently as well. Someone claiming to be Channing Tatum private messaged me on Twitter. At first I was a little unsure about it but then I started talking to him as well. He suggested that we use hangouts because it was his personal Twitter account. We did this for a little while and he was really sweet. After awhile he started asking for money but I just thought it was funny and asked why he would need my money because he is worth millions. He said he was under a lawsuit and can't use his money until the lawsuit is over. I believed him and started giving him money. When I realized it wasn't him I was already out thousands of dollars. If I said no he would get mad and act like I was the only one that he could ask cause it was a private thing no one could know about. He kept telling me that he loved me, wanted to marry me, wanted to be with me, would always want me, would never leave me, but at the same time wouldn't call menor facetime me. I still kept believing everything because I wanted it to be true so badly that I wouldn't listen when people would tell me otherwise. Don't fall for this, it is not who you think it is.
Cindy
July 18, 2020

In reply to by Sunnyday123

Do you still talking to him until now?. Is it his hangouts still active?. Does he promise to return your money ?. Can you get your money back? What you are told there was about the same as my friend's experience. A fake celebrity initially wanted to borrow money and will return it after his bank account will be opened, but it's been 18 months since my friend's hangout has been blocked, my friend's money has not been returned, only promise. But one person of my buddy tried & can still be sent messages to him, and it's not blocked, and the fake celebrity isn't replying to chat with my buddy.
Sosuperpissed
July 15, 2020
Same thing I had three different people telling me that they were the real Shemar Moore how sad
midwesterngirl
July 19, 2020
I have a guy talking to me right now claiming to be Keanu Charles Reeves. There have been 2 badly connected video calls, in which I could see this person, who I can only assume is a look alike or somehow manipulating video to make this appear real. They could hear me, I couldn’t hear them. They’ve not yet asked for money, but I’m sure there’s a hook-always is, AND I’m sure he isn’t really who he claims; theres plenty of red flags. I don’t know who to report this too, other than on here.
Kebsullivan19
August 10, 2020
Be careful if General Artis Pabriks sends you a friend request. It's a scammer and only wants money.
HeidiRourke.12…
July 24, 2020
I got a thing fbi on hangouts Also I think I got scammed
Goristani
July 25, 2020
Has anyone has messages from mark kingswood (Singer) on Instagram ???? Later asking for money
Don&#039;t use your…
July 27, 2020
I WAS TALKING TO A GUY ON HANGOUT THAT SAID HES PAUL WESLEY. WE TALKED FOR DAYS THEN HE ASK ME IF I LOVED HIM. I SAID OF CORSE I LOVE YOU BEING A BIG FAN OF HIS FOR YEARS. THEN HE WENT ON SAYING HIM AND HIS WIFE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AND HE WAS GOING TO DIVORCE HER BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE WITH ME. HE SAYS IM BEAUTIFUL AND HAS A GOOD HEART. SO THEN HE STARTED WANTING ME TO GIVE 500 DOLLARS TO A FOUNDATION WHERE IT WOULD HELP ME MAKE LOTS OF MONEY. NOW ALL HE TALKS ABOUT IS GETTING THE MONEY AND GOING TO A BITCOIN MACHINE. I HAVE NOT DID THIS. I DONT TRUST IT. PAUL WESLEY HAS A BEAUTIFUL WIFE SO WHY WOULD HE LEAVE HER FOR ME? HE WOULD NOT. SOMEONE LIKE THAT WOULD NEVER BE WITH ME HE DOESNT EVEN KNOW ME. THIS STUFF ONLY HAPPENS IN DREAMS RIGHT.
lyndsey gallagher
July 27, 2020
hi everyone just keep blocking them and report them aswell if you have google hanghouts like me from now on
Monica
August 13, 2020

In reply to by lyndsey gallagher

Can you tell us where to report them if money is sent to the scammer?
Diana
July 27, 2020
I got messages from a celebrity for 2 days now.
Hope love
July 29, 2020
Hello. I just want to warn you that new zac efron scammers are on instagram. You want to quickly switch to hangouts or email. Sometimes also after WhatsApp. Please take care of yourself and don't believe them. No celebrity asking for money or gift cards is all a lie. Don't believe them
scammed Tom Hi…
July 30, 2020
Feb 2020 - Jul 2020, In hiring talent (people knew my daughter) for a foundation have now received two Tom Hiddlestons’ offering to help. One with a booking agent charging a fee to “meet” regarding talent needs, and often angry texts. This one links to a Tom Hiddleston fan site member Karen S Hicks. The second texting Tom only gives hope, morning greetings, apologies for not getting to help before it was too late, but no means to plan so doubts, and discussions of managing life. Most likely waiting in plain sight. The feds say they will investigate us as I did not pay there is no crime but the real Hiddleston will get to verify it’s not him, sad for these actors to get reputations in danger, and no one telling us the outcome. I lost my daughter, and hope to give her a voice against predators in entertainment that destroyed her .
bonnieloukeith
July 30, 2020
what if you know the celebrity personally a=but still feel uneasy about doing what they ask for?!
Patricia
August 03, 2020
I just had a celebrity friend me on facebook. His page looks legit. Then he messaged me and ask for phone# and he texted me showed me his passport and ask to see an I'd to be clear as to who he was texting. Said he gets so many crazies. Had to be scam but the photo of h7s passport looked real!
Cupcake
August 03, 2020
Beware.....I am getting messages from a person claiming to be Rami Makek. He can give correct answers to questions and has not asked for money but I know he has to be an imposter.
Christina
August 04, 2020
Josh Holloway - met on FB, dragged me to Whatsapp. Fell in love with me in a week then asked for $20 grand fee for meet and greet. Said he would pay me back when we met. Really good scammer. Knew alot about Josh. Was even using business email address and business account on FB & Whatsapp. I didn't pay it.
Eunoia
August 04, 2020
Nick Carter of BSB suddenly message me in FB messenger on May 10, 2020. We continued chatting in hangouts for 2 months. I know that he’s an imposter because of different trick I said to him especially when he told me not to tell anyone I was talking to him. I just played along. I even sent this link to him so he can become aware of the different scammer. But he seems that he’s a forgetful person. He started to become cold towards me when I did not grant his request to invest in his bitcoin. Really? Seriously? Why should I do that? In a time of pandemic, I must be financially wise.
Sillyoldlady
August 05, 2020
Chris Ross handsome and young wanted me an Epitome of beauty. Ha! Over 70 pride goeth before a fall. He is sweet and holy. Be careful ladies. If you are lonely call someone you know or go to bed!
Lynnie1
August 05, 2020
Has anyone paid a mgmt co for Keanu Reeves for a Meet and Greet? O am being.love bombed and pressured to contact the mgmt co and pay
California girl
August 06, 2020
Has anyone had a Johnny depp scam I’ve had at least 20 different I toy with them but one talked to him for a year and a half only because I got blind sided he sent me a copy of his passport so we talked as friends then he said he loves me.Wants me to send him 35,000.00 for a mansion he says he’ll pay the rest it’s because he took an oath in the pirates organization and he can’t break it because of what amber did to him.Well of course I looked this home up it’s 3 m .Thats just one instance the second is he said he had his attorney draw up a marriage license for us and sent that to me but I would need to pay this so called attorney 1500 dollars because it was a secret.3rd instance he said he bought me a car for my birthday a Porsche sent me a picture of that along with the title it read my first name Depp.He introduces me to lily rose now these conversations are only by phone text ,hangouts,WhatsApp .Then he said instead of me giving 35,000.00 for my portion of the home he was going to donate it to an orphanage o ly because I told him my attorney needed documents on this home.Ive pretty much called this person out on these he’s very secretive no pictures of him he says he’s not allowed never tells me anything about where he is or doing avoids this.The thing is I really believed this after seeing this passport it’s so damn real.After looking it to some of these lies I found out his so called agent on this home was a fake I found the real realtor he said she was hacked come on I said I want POP proof of person yea right lol it’s a secret .Please anyone out there can give me some feedback on these issues
khalisanchez02
August 10, 2020
Hi my real name is Khali by birth but I go by mark Allen inniss now and days I have a serious problem someone has impersonating a serious celberity the ivy queen found my internal weakness and demands me to send any money methods from cash app to PayPal to gift cards I can even screen shot text you I need serious help
Monica
August 14, 2020

In reply to by khalisanchez02

Just ignore him and block any his contact account. They are fraudster and thief around us to take our money.
Joy
August 08, 2020
I have been chatting to a guy on hangouts saying he is the real leeminho the real leeminho photo comes up and know his asking me to buy a fan card for a large amount of money. I’m sure he is a scammer impersonated a celebrity.
Penny
August 08, 2020
I was contacted by a scammer on social media as Tom Cruise. They asked for money. I never sent any. They pulled me off to Hang Outs. Don't give any gift to Tom Cruise on social media. Just in real life...
Flyingtheskies
August 09, 2020
Famous people have moneyshouldnt ask for anything.
Brebre2020
August 11, 2020
I recently had this happen to me as well on instagram I'm a big fan of Jojo (Leave get out singer). She has been in the light for a while with her new album and on one of her posts she asks to post a comment from her new song "What you need" so I posted the whole second verse and didnt think much of it. I went to bed and the next morning I had a Instagram message from what I thought was her. I of course got excited I thought I was talking to a celebrity I didnt realize the account didnt have the verified symbol on it until I was fully awake but it really felt like I was talking to her. Eventually the account would ask me questions to get me to trust that it was her like "how long was I a fan" "when did I start listening to her music" and things like that. After a while the account suggested to make our conversation private all I had to do was email her manager.. so i did. Then i felt like it wasnt really her, the manager told me to make my membership gold VIP status all I had to do was buy a 100$ card, I honestly cant remember if it was amazon or iTunes. I also had the account asking if I heard anything and I replied that I couldnt afford it, they then asked why I proceeded to say "well with this global pandemic people have lost their jobs and have no money to give. The account then asked me for my cash app which I have my card locked. They were very persistent and told me to just use my account to send money. Again I told them I didnt have the money and I wasnt giving that information out to anyone but family.. This is when it broke character the english seemed completely off went along the lines of saying " you think a celebrity like me needs money I have alot of money baby just send it to me" at this point i realized it was a fake. I wasnt mean or nasty about it, I politely held the conversation with the account kept answering questions and then I exposed it without exposing it. Jojo sometimes goes live on instagram, she hasnt been lately but I asked what time does she usually go live because I always miss her show when she is live the account then said "you can just search anything you want to know about me on the internet", mentioning I have learned about this singer for years I know enough about her I dont need to search (like any super fan would know) being curious I tried searching the time on the celebrity's actual account found nothing then I looked on the web found nothing again went back and casually told them "the times for your lives wouldnt be on the web" that gave me the feeling "yeah this isnt her" but I honestly didnt know what to do so I sent the real celebrity a message on her Instagram hoping shed see it, then I realized she wouldnt have her messages on anyway shes a celebrity. I cant say how happy I am that I didnt fall for something like that no celebrity would ever ask you to buy and gift cards or prepaid cards and even if I did I'd use it on myself first :).
36Kkat
August 12, 2020
I’ve been contacted by Scott Speedman .. after my ID to join celebrity meet & greet .. pretty sure about to be asked for a ‘donation’ of some sorts .. hasn’t used google though as info is so wrong !!
Megan
August 12, 2020
I've got someone on Instagram right now claiming to be Jason Mraz. I know its not him, but its fun exchanging messages and feeding him fake responses. The dude actually got upset with me for asking for authenticity!
Mouse
August 12, 2020
I had a super famous rapper impersonater contact me on Twitter, they did nothing, he messaged me every morning and then threw out the day, wanting to see how my day was going, even tried to console me after I had a bad fight with my boyfriend ,he wanted pictures of me and for me to set up an ap where he could call me, not once did I believe he was who he said, I told him I have very successful family members in the entertainment industry and I have met many famous entertainers, so I'm not star struck! I told him why can't he just be himself who knows what friendship could develop, but he wanted to continue to play with my intelligence, so I decided to play along. I said I know it's you, I only pretended to not believe you, I wanted to see how long it would take before you realized you already knew me ; if you remembered coming home with me from the strip club I worked at and sleeping with me? It took over a month to get you to leave, I had to call Paul R. to make you go away. Do you remember that? Plus you owe me money for making me not go to work remember that? do you still want me to set up that ap so we can talk? I'd rather have your address so that I can start sending you the bills for all the new things you're going to buy me, Oh I made a mistake getting rid of you, but I'm never letting you go this time, then I started messaging him every day like 10 times a day he stopped responding and he has never bothered me since and that was almost 2 years ago.
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