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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.

Vicey
October 24, 2019

In reply to by Willmous

Jamie Foxx Scammer and Corrine Foxx Scammer on Hangouts. The Corrine Scammer asked for $500, and I said NO! Now the Jamie Foxx Scammer claims he wants me to invest in a Movie Project about Corrupt Politicians from GHANA!
Not a fool
December 06, 2019

In reply to by Vicey

Does the one contacting you always address you as "dear"
Vicey
February 04, 2020

In reply to by Not a fool

I just saw this. Yes, he refers to me a "dear." The real Jamie Foxx needs to do something. I have had over 20 Fake Jamie Foxxs reach out to me. It's criminal, because he eventually gets to the question of MONEY! and Block and Report.
pebbles227
September 05, 2019
I have recently been privately messaged by someone claiming to be Garth Brooks wanting to do a charity but he claims he wants my personal info on my cell phone to pay off my cell phone debt... now that I’ve asked a lot of questions and didn’t do it there quiet...
Cold world
September 06, 2019
0ct 27 , 2018 approximately around 3:30 am is when I got an alert from Instagram I received a message when I looked at my phone I notice the message was sent from the rapper Rick Ross I was so excited that I woke up and immediately replied very quickly to his message , he ask how long I been a fan and keep supporting his music he greatly appreciate it blah blah and how beautiful i am , then he ask how much will it mean to me if I spent a whole day with him , I told him I will love that. We spoke every day since then and my feelings grew more and more . He will send me selfies that I couldn’t find online even when I googled the image my research will fail successfully , Videos of his children at the most intimate moments and we will text night and day it was great having someone giving me the attention that I deserve . He even gave me access to an back account . He never ask for anything until January He ask can I get him an iTunes card so he can play video games. I ask why you a big celebrity I’m pretty sure you have a team or someone to get the iTunes card. He then indicated that I was the only one he trust and love so he wanted me to get it , so I went to Walmart and purchase 100 dollar one and scathed off the bar code that revealed the numbers on the back and screen shoot the image to him , I knew that it was wrong because I never even received a call from him I can only communicate with him on Instagram or a hangout app that he introduced me too, every week it seems he needed that iTunes card and that’s when all the lights in my head went off , that I was being scammed by a scammer ,I finally confronted him on hangout and he stated that he was really Rick Ross , then sent me a photo if his I.D of course the image looked very odd but a little believable, I thought to myself this guy really has some hi tech scam artist photoshop tools . To make a long story short he catfished me or scammed me for one year I have hundeds of texted messages and selfies this guy really pulled a number on me . But I’m relieved today because he finally admit that he scammed me to make money . The moral of the story is these scammers will go any length and depth to get to your hard working money and will put effort and time to steal your heart and your money please be careful if it’s too good to be true It’s probably a fraudulent human being behind that keyboard ready to take from us until it’s all gone.
Dmari
September 07, 2019
I was approached on twitter by someone pretending to be Johnny Depp. He asked me to go on Hang Outs to chat. There were several after him as well. I eventually just cancelled my twitter account realing they were all imposters and feeling very unsafe from the experiences.
Littlebit0506
September 11, 2019
I am being scammed of gift cards being a country singer named Dierks Bentley. He is asking for cards for his music and his lawyer to help him get his property back from his ex wife. I keep telling him NO and he refuses to listen to me and he is asking other people for help. I’m getting out of this situation before I lose more money
Mary
September 12, 2019
They also try to get you to take money and put it in your account from the person they are portraying saying they want you to send it to there fans that have been scammed so watch out for that toog
MinxMax
September 13, 2019
Anyone been scammed by someone impersonating Matt Bellamy from MUSE?
erikaV
September 23, 2019

In reply to by MinxMax

Maybe me. Just now. He send me a message on Instagram and it's a month I talk with him. What happens to you?
ErikaPorcodio
October 02, 2019

In reply to by MinxMax

He also asked me to make something strange. He said that I have to contact a security company to help him take a briefcase. And he will give me 30% of $1,5 m LOL. I simply can't believe it
Karen
September 14, 2019
My Facebook feed gave me a post from the Facebook page of a very hot actor in a tv show I follow. The post was about someone from the show who had won a prize and I made a comment about that. A few hours later I was contacted by someone saying he was that actor, saying he was trying messenger just to say hello to some of his fans. I was suspicious from the beginning, thinking the actor wouldn't go contacting people, but i couldn't really see a reason for anyone to pose as him either. We chatted, he asked me if I had whatsapp and we continued there. Of course I wanted to believe it was real but he said such bizarre things so I couldn't really believe. After five days he said he was in love with me and wanted a relationship. I told him I had no intention of leaving my husband. After about three weeks he said he had a directing project on the way but he'd spent all of his available money on it already and just needed the last USD 1500. He apologized for asking me but said he had nobody else to ask. The actor's official social media had posted warnings that the actor does not contact fans through messenger, to this he replied that others were using his name and that's what the warnings were about. I reported him to the team on the official site and they said it was definitely not the actor. He said of course they will say that, he's told them to never confirm it's him. I wanted him to prove his identity so he said he'd video call me on hangouts, which he did. There was no sound and it was very quick, due to "security reasons". I believed him for a few hours, then I started googling and found that on hangouts you can play a pre-recorded video, which you can't do on whatsapp. I had told him I'd send him the money so he sent me the account details. I never sent the money, I reported his accounts on messenger, whatsapp and hangouts and I contacted the bank and gave them the details. It was hard after I blocked him, it had been so nice to have someone every day asking me how I was doing and how my day had been, having someone tell me they were thinking of me and missing me, telling me how funny and awesome I was. He really knew what he was doing. I got scared that I had given him my phone number om whatsapp and my email and I changed the asecurity settings so they are no longer connected. I don't know what someone could do with the information I have given him. I'm glad I found this page and found I'm not the only one to fall for such cheap tricks.
fan super star
September 22, 2019

In reply to by Karen

my wife had the same from some one be tending to be Chris hemsworth through messenger l dont no way face book dont sort this out .
Roseline.beauty
September 16, 2019
I just got a message from vin diesel asking me to donate money to his charity in Africa. I understand it's just a scam. Why dont the real actors and actresses text us? We are all people that live on this planet,they just work hard. Only difference.
Dogeaht
September 17, 2019
I have a athlete sending me dm’s, that person isn’t asking for anything except support. They asked for my #, should I be suspicious? I really don’t know
Dogeaht
September 21, 2019

In reply to by Dogeaht

Update: its a fraud. These people that scam us are filth, absolutely scum of the earth. They got some personal info from me but as soon as they asked about $$ I blocked them!
Jorja
September 18, 2019
I've been messaged by Kiefer Sutherland thru an Instagram account. Has anyone heard of this one?
FoolforLove
January 30, 2021

In reply to by Jorja

Yes, Kiefer told me to send money, and I would receive a diamond ring, and spend Easter with him. I was under his spell, until the request for money (oh, and gift cards) came up. Ladies be very careful.... Since they are professional scam artists, they are available 24 hr. to listen to you pour out your heart. Be very careful. Now why would the REAL Kiefer ask for money...
fan super star
September 18, 2019
hi just to let you guys now the Chris hemsworthy fan club on face book is for scammers this guy will make cont through messenger and then try and sell you stuff please be aware. thanks
fan super star
September 19, 2019
like to now if any one is being scammed by chris hemsworth .
Deb
September 21, 2019
Apparently Miss Dolly Parton is now on the list the scammer could not even spell Dolly beware
Jenngard
May 20, 2020

In reply to by Deb

Omgosh!!! You too?? She is trying to get me to give her my SS number. Now.
Mojo
September 21, 2019
I've been getting text messages from a Scott James, claiming to be withjKeanu Reeves winning team. He tells me, I just need a hundred dollar Amazon card in order to get my winnings. I about fell for it. This has gone on for a month. Hangouts impersonating Keanu Reeves&, this is driving me crazy. Just a heads up to anyone who gets a phone text from Scott Jane's, cksimomg to be Keanu Reeves spokesperson!
fan super star
September 23, 2019
looks like Adam Levine doing the rounds as well why cant messenger stop this .
Catfish Scam D…
September 24, 2019
Hello, I was contacted recently by an imposter claiming to be Daniel Dae Kim. He had me believing it was him, and even doctored photos to show that he was at a certain place during a certain time on Instagram. It was all a scam. Suddenly he wanted money for his charity and then Itune gift cards. We have been chatting on Google hangouts and I recently just blocked him. Please be ware. I am now going to delete my instagram account. It's a shame there are so many scammers out there taking advantage of innocent people!
QuietGal
September 26, 2019
Hello, I'm going through it now. I was playing with them at first see how far theyll go..its scary because, they copied there page. Knew there every move. It's crazy. Felt real for a second. I was contacted recently by an imposter claiming to be Scott EastWood on instagram. I have been taking to a possible imposter from Instagram for 9 days now. Its actually been great conversations, we established a bond. Got a little personal too. He said alot of the things that are true. One day out of the blue, he asked me, if I can get him a five hundred dollar Amazon card for funding his podcast. The strangest thing further was when he offer me a job for his company and that I can speak to his assistant on Google Hangout. He has asked for google hangouts and is keen for me to email his assistant for the position. Red flag raised when his assistant wanted $1000-$3000 for license fee and other b.s. Strange, this fake Scott would never give me a photo of himself with a fansign of my name or shows stories on IG with a fansign with my name. I said if your the the real deal send me a video saying my name. I have yet to see it, he says it's against management orders I said mmmhmm ya ok. The nerve these people have.
Natty
June 15, 2020

In reply to by QuietGal

Hi did he use the email address scotteastwood132 ? As i feel i'm in the beginning of this scam too.
Mojo1214
September 29, 2019
Since January this guy first reached out to me on a dating site. I accepted his request because he is good looking. I read his profile and he had pictures of a celebrity country singer Dustin Lynch. Now I don't like country , I had to research who this guy is. I questioned why someone famous and handsome would be on this site. Same old story, can't find love all women want is my money blah blah but he would send me pictures and I played along trying to catch him in lies. I told him anyone can Google Dustin's info and copy and paste. And I ended it, or so I thought. Fast forward to August and he contacted me again this time telling me he loves me wants to be with me and all I have to do was buy two new I Phones and send them to his personal assistant . So he can activate them and send the other one back to me so we can video chat. I've had enough and contacted Dustin Lynch Management office . All I received was a vague reply as if they are not taking my. Complaint seriously. So I'm complaining now because this needs to stop. I've saved all the emails and texts.
I'm being BONO'D
October 01, 2019
I've been contacted by someone who says he's Bono from U2. He/she/it used instant messenger to get messages to me, and then uses the Hangout app to continue chatting. This person says he's going to call me, but won't say when. I'm certain that the next thing he/she/it is going to ask me is for money... I'm just playing along.
NikkiBoo
October 01, 2019
Hi my name is Nicole so i got hacked by whoever be eminem he delete all my instagram and he added my google gmail he say hey i say what why you keeping add me he say look for you.
fan super star
October 22, 2019

In reply to by NikkiBoo

hi guys theirs a fake chris hemsworth on messenger and face book asking he with vidoe chat you on hang outs his gmail account is hemsworth571 total fake asking for details been reported to Facebook but still there
crystal.66
February 20, 2020

In reply to by NikkiBoo

I've been contacted by a few Johnny Depp and one other not naming yet Johnny asked for iTunes cards and I said I not going out in a snow storm the other one just constantly telling me he loves me wanting to move here but I'm not falling for none of it because why would a movie star want to meet a simple girl . Actually they would be probably healthier and happier living a real honest life even acting . But I think there should be a way for us to protect ourselves one asked me to send him my name on instragram so he would be able to block the other one but I told him already done it these scammers open other accounts saying there team helped them once I told Johnny he have more problems because I a cop he stopped contacting me . So let's all be smart protect ourselves don't let no one know your life or lie more about it and make sure to be wise
Bestfan1948
October 02, 2019
Anyone heard of someone making believe they are M. Gibson? These people really know what to say. He has money overseas but can't get at it. His attorneys say he should not involve family/friends. Everytime I say he should call me to prove himself, he has no reply. I even asked for a contract that he would pay me back...no response. Wouldn't you think his attorneys would get his money for him? This is really elaborate! He has all the right things to say. I have been a fan for a long time. I've loaned some $$ already, not anymore. Working with a banker from Germany? Someone on Twitter said someone is making believe he is Gibson but is a liar. I checked Spokeo, and the phone number belongs to someone else. He says this is his number and he doesn't know that person. Can FTC check this out, please? Or anyone know of this?
Wisconsin fool
October 08, 2019
I didn’t actually get scammed but I feel stupid. I talked to who thought was Bill Hader all day today. He didn’t ask me for money. He wanted to give me money and through bit coin. I said I’m not that kind of person and I would never accept it. He tried to video chat me three times and every time he called it would hang up. Blocked him and blocked the pages from Instagram. While it would have been wonderful to know such a great actor, I’m a nobody from nowhere. Glad I didn’t move forward. All I’ve lost is my pride, which is enough in and of itself.
Shocked
October 13, 2019
I believe I am being scammed and at the same time I’m afraid I pushed away the real person. But it is strange a celebrity coming out of the blue. The person has been very nice to me but here I discovered it can go on very long. The subject of meet and greet came up at some point, with a gmail address towards management to contact and refundable costs. please tell me it’s a scam, I’ve been feeling guilty because the person is so nice and writes very well scholar polite English. After I refused meet and greet the person was still nice. Is it usual?
fan super star
October 22, 2019

In reply to by Shocked

total scam my wife got done by a meet and greet with chris hemsworth why dont they put some thing on there face book
crgabc
November 22, 2019

In reply to by Shocked

Why would a celebrity contact us normal people for Money? Are they being held hostage? Sorry to say it's fake. Block and report the account. They have lots of other friends that will try and come at you with a different celebrity. They also have cells of other scammers they work together. I understand your heart is in the right place.
Robin Cohen
October 17, 2019
I got one from Lenny Kravitz saying he needed 2K for surgery for his godchild. Said someone in Japan gave him 16K. Really want to believe it's him. But he's a millionaire why would he need 2K from me. Something about personal accounts vs. Corporate accounts. He keeps telling me he loves me. At first, it was 25k, when I said no. It got really angry. These people are cruel and are heartless. But they steal your heart. Said to use bitcoin to send the money. Nope!! 2K is pocket change for someone like that.
vjsmurf
October 17, 2019
Had the same happen recently with supposed Blake Shelton. Chatted about two weeks and I finally asked for a selfie or short video as I did not believe it was really him. When I received the picture it was of Blake holding a sign with my name and a personal message. The picture had to have been out there somewhere as when looking you could see the pixelization on the upper portion of the pic. Blocked him right away.
Awesome dude
October 18, 2019
I'm a big wwe fan grew up watching it and I still do to this day. About a month ago I was on my Twitter and got a message from someone claiming to be wwe superstar Liv Morgan who I am a huge fan I thought no harm in social interaction so we exchanged numbers and chatted off and on. One day I got asked for a steam card I was thinking ok sounds fishy a pro athlete would not try to scam 1 of her fans I was thinking total red flag. Haven't been chatting much since then.
Wwe fan
April 28, 2020

In reply to by Awesome dude

did she have you download Google hangouts? And wanted you to delete your social media accounts
Suzy1
October 20, 2019
I was contacted on Messenger by some one claiming to be the famous cellist Hauser. He said it had to be a secret because of the press and his management team. This person (he or she) is very pushy and controlling. He asked for a $400 Amazon card because an app he used to practice with had expired. I told him that I knew he could pay it himself and he said he couldn’t reach anyone that controlled his funds. Oh, and that his management team would be mad at him for letting it lapse. When I called him out in it and told him it sounded like a scam, he became angry. Told me that this proved that he couldn’t count on me and started acting quite immature. The next day he apologized but also got another personal dig in. I reported him to Messenger but he is still active.
fan super star
October 22, 2019

In reply to by Suzy1

yes l reported loads off fake chris hemsworth to messenger nothing gets done total rubbish cant close those scammers down
Chelsea
April 27, 2020

In reply to by Suzy1

My mother-in-law was catfished by a Hauser impersonator on Instagram. Thank goodness she told me about it before any money was sent. They just started talking 2 days ago. She's a 70 yr old cancer survivor and her loneliness during this pandemic is being preyed upon. Makes me furious.
Bcsabi75
November 19, 2019
Hi, I’d like share another celeb scam. Somebody getting in touch with you on the facebook messenger! He/she using the name of Jon Bon Jovi! He/She offering a charity work for the foundation of Jon Bon Jovi! Everything looks real, they opening an account with 6,5 mio $ and from this amount is 1,625,000 $ yours! I asked this fraud, need I pay something in before, or later? They said you have immediately this amount, you must pay all fees, from this big amount! After the first contact and before the online account opening coming in to the story the whatsapp account.... The nickname is “jonbon” with a u.s. phone number (+1/843/560-9515)! He want my documents, and they opening an online account with this 6,5 mio $ fund on your name, at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York! ( fedreservedlbk. ). Before this coming in to the story his “lawyer”, Mr. Jonathan Barrister Moody! After opening the account on my name, of course the transfer not working, because the bank want a payment for the tax clearance number, which is 3,200 €.... And of course I must pay it, as prepayment! They telling, that this is not official, for this reason I must pay it for an agent of the bank, who living in Cary, North Carolina, and the account is in San Francisco ... Before that they offering a Hangout video call with “Jon Bon Jovi”, but very bad picture and voice quality and only for one second....! They ready chatting all day long! The Jon Bon Jovi scam texting with very poor English! I think, they will continue this scams, please take an action against this fraud people!
No scam
October 26, 2019
I recently had someone contact me online Instagram, he said he was Kevin Costner. He asked to talk privately on WhatsApp so we did for a week. He seemed really nice until all the sudden his bank accounts became frozen and he couldn't access his money because he was going thru a supposed divorce. Then he proceeded to ask me for ten thousand dollars, to help pay employees. But that he would pay me back. Right, I told him a good man doesn't ask for money from someone he has only known for a week, and that I wouldn't loan anyone this kind of money. Especially on the net. He got upset started to call me names and told me he Hope's God punishes me. He protested his love for me begged and finally got upset. I got off WhatsApp after I reported him. So people please be careful. Always know someone very personally before talking about monies.