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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.

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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.

izzy
January 13, 2021
same thing happened with me , with imposter Hayden Cristensen ,, the guy still telling me he is real ,, never wanted to show hes gov id , sad what hell is going around
Musiclove
January 13, 2021
I have been talking to someone say he's Rick Springfield since last May he said he has charity for smile give money to help children and he started relationship said we married first started $40 then 500 or 800 then 1000 I would send photos videos s when he ask because I love Rick Springfield my idol since I was 12 to be married to Rick Springfield I been trying let go but when I do makes me sick like I'm letting go my child hood I have taken so much money from people to give to him and cards I still do now getting more he's said he sent money to my bank twice blame me for loosing it and now he wants send money by courier ask me get 1000 I said can't so he bullie me everytime I don't he bullies me I'm scared to let go I try he sent video gifts I saw lady in items shadow I did tell him he just said lady work s for me I know he's got Barbara but he saids he's not with her he says things get me in I don't know want to do I tryed let go block he comes back gets children home to call I wrote here cause I need help just today he said he send gifts back then ask for 50 I said I can't then he said I talk to much then I said cause all I got he said I just hate when I complain about small amount he then said don't stop talking he uses alot lovin'words when I don't he hurts I'm scared let go because my idol husband rockstar Rick Springfield please help me because making me sick
Ana
January 17, 2021
I received private message from Matthew Macfadyen via ig. He asked to chat at Hangouts and I declined at first after he failed to authenticate him self. I know that Matthew Macfadyen doesn’t have a social media account. I thought that was it. He tried again and I accepted the invitation. It’s been a week now and he said he was trying to gather some feedback from his fans on his acting. I asked for a video message from him and he said that he was bound to his agency contract and sending a video message would breach this contract. He asked if I was married, asked about my job, what car I drive. His English is worse than mine and typos were rampant. I know that Matthew Macfadyen is a nice man and this guy is anything but nice. We shall see how far he’s gonna go.
Aaaaaaa
January 21, 2021
Somebody chatted me on IG, claiming it's Chris Evans, she or he asked me to download hangout app. And he said he wants to know me more. So I doubt and do some online searching, Then click this.
Number5
January 22, 2021
What was the hangout email from this Martin freeman
suzzanne
January 22, 2021
Sick of vin diesel imposters .just had one offering visa to meet him. Everone be careful
Claire
January 23, 2021

In reply to by suzzanne

Did he ask for money, stem card?. Whether you talked to him in the hangout? Be Carefull
Tdedeker40
January 22, 2021
Ok so I have been dealing with this supposed to be Nick Carter the first one I talked to was all sweet and kind started to get to know me later on starting to ask for my email I thought that was OK and then asking me what bills I pay a month then my marriage status and now today 1/21/2021 another Nick Carter comes on asking I'm a huge fan and to get to know me asking to send him a picture of myself and his I checked the area code for his phone number and it's not anywhere near were he claims to be in freaking out please help me
Tdedeker40
January 22, 2021
I would like to know how many Nick Carter imposters are there I'm very confused! Please help
Hurt
January 23, 2021
I am going to try posting this again. Through Instagram l got a friend request from Keanu Reeves, l know nothing about pop culture & honestly thought nothing of it, l was clueless to how famous he is. Months went by & l had forgotten about him when one night l got a message that read "Hello, l am Keanu C. Reeves. May l get to know you?" I complimented him on being a gentleman & explained l knew nothing about him, but his losses l had read on a blurb & l was not a fan. We chatted about his day, where he was, where he lived & living arrangements. He went on to talk about God, Love & Fate, that my words melted his heart & he wanted to spend time with me. I told him this was not real & l had nothing, that l was renting & could hardly afford that. He told me that he did not care about such things & if l gave him a chance we would be happy. He asked to go to Whatsapp, it was a NY area code & he had said he was in NY. He sent a photo of him in a towel shortly after & asked for the same back, l said no, he said it was annoying & to have a nice day, so l shredded him. He vanished off Instagram & Whatsapp. I sent a few messages to the NY number, which were received, saying how vile it was to use words like God, Love & Fate with ill intentions. Very sad world
Britnabee
January 24, 2021
Just watch for the use of the word “dear”. For some reason scammers love that word and use it all the time. Don’t ever reply to some one that uses that word. Commonsense should clue you in
L.South
January 24, 2021
There is a scammer that is impersonating a UK singer named Stevie Hoang. I had my suspicions and looked at this person's IG account. I compared it to the real account and there is definitely a discrepancy. He asked me to donate to a charity (which of course I didn't). He claimed that he was in NYC. However, based on the times of the text messages that he sent me, it seems that he is in the UK or Nigeria time zone. Scammers are getting smarter and using different techniques to get money from people. These people are imposters! Please be careful!
LeeB
January 26, 2021
I've been scammed once by Johnny Depp, and a few keep trying, another by Keanu Reeves after talking for some time wanted me to except a bike from Arch motorcycle but I had to pay this end delivery of 2,870€ was good scam paperwork etc., but no way was I paying it. Got incontact with Arch motorcycles they told me unfortunately was a scam......beware that delivery paperwork with tracking number all looked so real.
izzy
January 29, 2021
twiter --somebody claim he is real harrison ford ,, facebook somedy claim he is real hayden chrisstensen -- just tired of scammers
FoolforLove
January 30, 2021
Am I the only one who had a Ben Stiller scam?? He said that he lived in New York, and that if I wanted to meet him, I would have to pay for his plane ticket. And his hotel stay. This from a millionaire...
MtlChk
February 01, 2021
Has anyone started getting messages from Ian Somerhalder on Facebook? I commented on one of his videos about the Brothers Bond Bourbon, he replied to comment asking to send him a message on his blog, then started chatting. I don't believe its him though.
Queenficcadenti
February 03, 2021
I almost went for it. But thanks to my friend, he gave me more insight on scammers. I am a big fan for Omari Hardwick. Someone impersonating him was out of context and weird. They ask for money and i sent all pictures of empty and bad debit card information...hahaha.
Asabajo
February 05, 2021
I was reacting on the Jeffrey Dean morgan instagram the real one. And then he massages me with another name like Jeffrey Dean morgan554. Hè Saïd Lets talk on hang out app. The Gmail name is Jeffreydeanmorgan4gmail Then hè talked a lot and Saïd i love you in a gewoon days and had to Make aan apointment like 6000 dollars and I said i somt have Money hè Saïd you can give 3000. Bedause it needs to be secure. It looked Very real. Then hè video called me and i misser the call. Then hè call back and i was do dumb . And i didnt. Talk i was doing my Make Up. I put my mobile away and saw hos face and Child. And it look like he didnt talked and hè cancelled the video call. Hè Saïd i haar you loud and clearly. Now hè dont aanna video call anymore. And i have Seen the video with dr Philip Thérè was a woman saying catfish Jeffrey Dean morgan. But how the scammers talked they talked with we and the man i talking to is Also talking with we. Is there more people with the jdeanmorgan4gmail talking onhang out let me know. Please
Tonia
February 08, 2021
There are scammers bad about being Brendan Fraser. If you come across someone pretending to be Mr. Fraser don't accept. They will ask you to go to Google Hangouts which is a scammer famous locations. I have encountered them twice. From previous interviews that I have seen Mr. Fraser does not do social media.
l
February 09, 2021
Has Aaron Rodgers been talking to any of you? He has been very sweet and romantic to me. We are on Whatsapp after he contacted me on LiveChat from the AR website. He has been very helpful too. He has toyed with my emotions, but hasn't taken money.
MS ChrisDon't …
February 09, 2021
Privacy ,Idenity and online security is a joke how can you offer any thing to anyone when you allow people tp make a profile of a well known celebrity and use their name attached to it to lure and ruse others . if you can not stop peoplle from impersonating world famous people and allowing them to make the profile in the first place how can you protect the average person who is not world famous there shuld be a algorithem in social media that wont process the data of the scammers and imposters
Bigwilm
February 09, 2021
Newest one Cillian Murphy, gives you his private email, then tries to get you to invest with his personal trader. My facebook was shut down because of this
jaime7282
February 10, 2021
I've been talking to someone that says he's Toby Keith since the end of November. Right off he told me someone had hacked into his account and stolen 92 million dollars from him and his account was frozen until the situation was investigated. He knew Toby was working on a new album because he pretended to be going to the studio every day. I asked him the name of the album but of course he couldn't tell me. Plus he told me he was divorced from his wife. He asked me to marry him and he couldn't live without me and all the other bull. He really layed it on thick. I asked him for one thing, for him to call me so I could hear his voice but he refused to do it. So, I knew he wasn't really the Toby because he kept making excuses. So, ladies watch out for the fake Toby Keith. Take care and God bless.
MAD AT SCAMS
February 10, 2021
I see these all the time on FB. Why is it not poliuced by FB. These are of a standard format. surely they have an algorithm that can recognise its layour and such it down automatically. Try harder FB!
Happygirl53
February 10, 2021
I am chatting with someone pretending to be Garth Brooks. I told him up front that I would NEVER SEND HIM MONEY! He even sent me a phone number that has a Tennessee area code. When I Google it, it doesn't come up with anything. He uses poor Englis and I even told him to use better English or I would think he was a foreigner trying to scam me. How can I find out who he really is so I can zing him?
Lilbitts3540
February 22, 2021

In reply to by Happygirl53

I have someone saying there Hugh Jackman on Twitter and that I am one of his fans wanting me to go on Telegram where it's secure to talk. I have received a true comment in the past from Hugh Jackman but now I am not sure not asking for money but just need to know if he's a scammer or really hugh him self.
Eugenie
February 27, 2021

In reply to by Lilbitts3540

I had the same thing on Facebook twice now, Telegram isn't something that is used often so i thought i was involved with the real Actor's as of course Hangouts is way common and Whatsapp, one i was in a relationship with but unfortunately it seems all fake, the thing that got me was the proof, how they make it completely real is scary.
Claygirl
February 13, 2021
I was followed and received a message on Instagram by a fake Channing Tatum after following the real artist on Instagram. The fake was actually pretending to be the real actor. I blocked them and then another one showed up. I blocked that one, and another one showed up. It’s nonstop. It’s like creepy whack-a-mole. Predators shopping fan pages for victims is disturbing.
LYNRICHD
February 24, 2021
I just got email accosted by someone claiming to be david lee roth. They messaged me from my post on his post but not from him on another page with his name..thinking their so clever. Telling me to go to Google hangouts to chat exclusively. I did it cuz im a newbee to social media and I'm young lol...it was a brutal two days of messaging so obviously wasn't who I thought it was. Like the real celebrity is going reach out to me..you know he's with a model or porn star....anyhoo I played with it just for the surreal experience but I really don't want anyone else to fall for it.
Don't use your…
February 27, 2021
Well!! I have a big list of celebreties, but I've been chatting with 3 differents Peter Frampton, 1 Jon Bon Jovi, 1 Paul Stanley and 1 Jimmy Page, and a lot more that they've been trying to get me from Instagram most of them, ok Peter Frampton and Jon Bon Jovi, want to marry me hahhahah both, and both want me to claim a trunk box from a foreing bank full of millions, but they just trust me to do that, and when we get married will be so happy together.. well the best part is that I didn't fall and they didn't get even a penny from me, they asked me for an IDme, Full name, for a Steam Card, For donation. Let me add that Instagram is infected of impersonators imposters, Twitter and Facebook, but not like Instagram, and I don't know how they know who is you favorite rockstar, because I usually comment to most of their posts.
Eugenie
February 27, 2021
Two year's ago i thought i was dating an Actor from TWD, Andy. Long story, i sent two phones two year's ago and it's put me in financial debt for two year's, have to wait till May for contracts to end. It was brand new Iphones. I don't have an expensive phone so per month i pay $35 but the two phones i pay $230 a month. The thing that got me is it was for him and his manager but i didn't allow him to get these phones, he contacted my phone company (i never told him who i was with) and next thing i know he said i have two phones added to my account, how do they do that, I'm the only one on the account, no one can actually varify me unless i talk to them yet somehow they ordered and did contracts for those phones. It's so scary, I'm not stupid, I'm very cluey and investigate like hell before i give money to anyone. This person sent me actual documents of the actor's details so i actually thought it was him, those documents he sent me were very legit. Be aware.
Iknowacatfishw…
February 28, 2021
I've been getting instagram messages from jacquees fake pages for over a year. I've lost count on how many. I've never sent them money but threats have been made to me nd my family on hangouts nd whatsapp. They wanted to talk on whatsapp and hangouts. I actually got one tonite and he said he'd give me free tickets nd he'd take me to dinner when he's in my home zone. I never believe them hence y I smell a catfish when I see one. I just go along with them nd downloaded the txt now app nd give them that number. First they start sweet talking then get mad when u ask for proof nd make excuses like my manager is always watchen me nd I told them they don't watch u 24/7 u're a grown man the person didn't like that too much.
Mumof3
March 01, 2021
I keep getting messages from the singer "luke Bryan" on meetme, even though I, ve blocked him several times, but, he still keeps messaging me, so, he's just been blocked again.
Butterfly 2727
March 01, 2021
Hi I am talking to someone on Hangouts saying he is Vin Diesel we have been talking for like a month now he has said he's fell in love with me he wants me to be his wife and his kids as a new mom he wants me and my two kids to move to LA California with him in his mansion he says all the right things to me also a lot of private stuff that only he would know so am I being scammed by someone or is it really him she has not asked me for any money yet he's also mention a briefcase enter messages can someone write me back helping me find out if it's really him or not.
flowerj
March 04, 2021

In reply to by Butterfly 2727

It's not him! Private stuff only he knows about - how do you know it's true if only he knows about it! You're being scammed. Stop messaging, he will soon give up.
Don't use your…
June 08, 2021

In reply to by flowerj

Hey Mr Sinclair is cheating on me!!!!! Oh my god I've been talking to this man for a month now he got $7 out of me I wish I'd have seen this page this article and stuff way before he is good he's good and good honey sweet darling dear talks about his kids and he does get personal but I don't understand is how he knew that Vin Diesel was doing that interview Sunday because Sunday he told me he was getting ready for his interview he's good he's on the inside wherever Mark Sinclair is man I was taken I'm such a fool I'm going to laugh about this someday but right now it's not funny I'm sorry that you went through that I sure hope he gets the hint leaves me alone or maybe I should mess with him for a while I told him to buy me a gift card and send it to me haha
Loneywolf60
March 05, 2021
For the past 2 week miss terri Clark found me on Instagram we then started talking about past lives thing were looking good but I failed that she was working to fast and such for some things eles then on 2ed week she ask for my bank account number i jon never gave her anything I bleve she is looking to scams me im reports this to everyone who can help
Susu
March 10, 2021
I have been contacted supposedly johnny depp he hasn't asked for money but right away o told him I have been working check by check and he reply "it's okay I understand ' and hasn't comment more " oh never mind his just asking how is america know.
babyGirl
March 16, 2021
hello, about 4 or 5 weeks ago i was on instgram and a account call Paulwesleygram sent me a friend request and i accepted it thought it was one of the fans that made the account but then i got a message and the person said thank u for being my fan and everything. and i said ur welcome and he wanted to talk on hang out. i said ok. so we talked on hang out and i said to him to send me a picture of yourself or video chat with me so i can see u and see if it really is u, but he said he couldnt because he was being grounded or something. i said well do it anyways but he said he couldnt . so after that i know that he was a fake person. he kept on calling me babe, sweetie, angel and other things. he did ask me to go get a gift card and because he said he couldnt go anywhere because of covid. and he wanted to see me and everything and he says i love you to me all the time. he did send me a photo of his face and so i took the photo and searched on the web to see if it was photo shopped but i couldnt find anything. so when he sent me a email, i looked that up to. to find the location and it was in LA, california. he still talks to me. he did call me but i didnt hear my phone ringing. but later that night i told him to call me and he picked up. he voice sounds british. i dont know if he is british but i know that he is polish. i dont know what to do. can someone help me?
Tc
March 17, 2021
Has any had liam hemsworth??? Message them on Instagram then change to hangout. He first offers to send you money, then for you to send money to a cancer case, then starts asking for money to be send by money transfer. And even giving you his address but this address can't be found anywhere online. Please help as this guy is bugging me constantly
king
March 17, 2021

In reply to by Tc

all lies total scammer l have had chris as well saying he loves me and going to give me money no a list is going to give you money .
Kodiak
March 23, 2021
What about with Mila Kunis have 2 of them msg me and haven't asked for any money. One gave me phone number
Amy21
March 30, 2021
Why would the real actor Dan Stevens ask me for gift cards to meet him and send money I don’t send money
donfar
April 01, 2021
I was recently contacted by "Clint Eastwood" on FB and was told I reminded him of someone he cared for that died 8 years ago. He is very complimentary and then after a couple of messages, he asked me to load an app to my phone for hangouts and give him my email as it is supposedly safer for him to be private on that app. Oh! He also asked me to stay private about our conversations. I finally texted back....I don't know you, but you had me going for a bit! Thanks, but no thanks. I didn't ever expect something like this. Isn't it illegal to start a personal page of a celebrity and pretend to be that person? Beware!
To trusting
June 04, 2021

In reply to by donfar

Yes I think we chatted with same Clint. It just felt a little creepy so I blocked him.
Polly
April 02, 2021
I've just been on Kevin bacon site, which has the blue tick, he said I had won a prize go onto his profile site, when I did this it says that I have free access to films and I had to fill in forms with my bank details, didn't do that as I don't trust these sites as anyone else done this
DOTTIE
April 13, 2021
Hi Im talking to Liam Neeson for 2 weeks now hes inlove with me i get pictures of him he yries to call me but the lines are "bad" he tried to videocall me too i saw him but the video looked familiar he just said halo and was there then suddenly off since then we battle to phone each other. He said he quited acting and wants to come to me. He sent a picture of him today when I went on internet it was the same one they took last year he said it was today And the videocall was the same clothes and baclground on a show where they chatted virtually with him on a tv show. Thats why maybe the lines were bad because its fake they impersonate him. Please tell me if its a scam or not. Also got a videocall of Garett Dillahunt but the same it was just halo and heard nothing further. Im just a fan of them. But would like if its a scam. Liam Nreson also told me please to delete all my social accounts because he dont want any men to take me from him!!!!
ak1234
April 13, 2021
I have a celebrity asking me for money to meet and greet them, and said it's their management is this a scam
wondering-71
April 14, 2021
Has anyone have any Sasha Banks Stories. I was contacted by a few on Facebook
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