{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-post-tsx","path":"/celebrity-scams","result":{"data":{"site":{"siteMetadata":{"siteUrl":"https://guard.io","title":"Browser Protection | Data & Privacy Security | Guardio Personal Blog"},"pathPrefix":"/blog"},"contentfulBlogPost":{"slug":"celebrity-scams","title":"When stars fall: The dark side of celebrity scams","metaTitle":"Celebrity scams unmasked: Protect yourself from fake endorsements","showExitPop":true,"descriptionMeta":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"rawMarkdownBody":"Discover how to spot and avoid celebrity scams with our comprehensive guide. Learn about common scams, the role of AI, and how to protect yourself."}},"description":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"rawMarkdownBody":"Celebrity scams, including fake endorsements and social media impersonations, are becoming harder to spot and easier to fall for. This article reveals scam tactics and shows how Guardio protects you by blocking fake ads, dangerous links, and phishing attempts. Stay safe with our guide to navigating celebrity scams."}},"author":{"name":"Rotem Tal - Senior Cybersecurity Expert |Writer & Editor|","image":{"fixed":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/5VFI2fXyi3N5Fuhnj3EXRX/38102343f57bcb5f1228f632b389c8e6/Rotem_Tal_cyber_security_content_writer.png?w=40&h=40&q=50&fit=fill"}}},"coverImage":{"fixed":{"width":810,"height":477,"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/18mmGr436dZGssvYdKEKLu/51251dac063cd16efdabab1a6c809c8a/manim1328_hollywood_walk_of_fame_--ar_169_--stylize_50_03f125f1-2d11-4064-878a-755971fa12e5.png?w=810&h=477&q=50&fit=fill"}},"tags":null,"publishDate":"2024-06-13T00:00+03:00","publishDateFormatted":"June 12th","body":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"tableOfContents":"","timeToRead":8,"htmlAst":{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{"id":"star-power-or-scam-power-how-to-spot-celebrity-scams","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#star-power-or-scam-power-how-to-spot-celebrity-scams","ariaLabel":"star power or scam power how to spot celebrity scams permalink","className":["anchor","before"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"Star power or scam power? How to spot celebrity scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Back in the day, if you wanted to find out about your celebrity crush or get the latest gossip, you had to rely on tabloids. Maybe I’m aging myself here, but I still remember sending snail mail to my favorite star from Baywatch. If you have no idea what snail mail, Baywatch, or tabloids are, you’re probably a digital native born into our current age of social media. Nowadays, you can get the latest updates on your favorite celebrities at the click of a button. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook allow us to follow their lives, engage with their posts, and sometimes even interact with them directly."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"However, this connectivity comes with a dark side, as scammers have found a lucrative niche by creating fake or stolen celebrity accounts. Adding to the complexity, they are now leveraging AI technology to create convincing fake celebrity endorsements to exploit, deceive, and cheat followers."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"The Federal Trade Commission: impersonation scams cost consumers over "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2024/04/impersonation-scams-not-what-they-used-be#ftn4","title":"FTC: Impersonation scams: not what they used to be","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"1.1 billion"}]},{"type":"text","value":" last year."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"In this article, we'll explore the nuances of how these celebrity impersonation scams operate and show you how using cybersecurity software like Guardio can protect you from falling victim to these cunning cons. Let’s dive in!"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"native-ad","properties":{"id":"ad_install","btn_label":"Get Started","btn_label_mobile":"Start Free Scan","title":"Celebrity endoresement or scam?"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\nWhy risk it? Let Guardio do the guesswork for you!\n"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"table-of-contents","properties":{},"children":[]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"span","properties":{"className":["gatsby-resp-image-wrapper"],"style":"position: relative; display: block; ; max-width: 900px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n "},{"type":"element","tagName":"span","properties":{"className":["gatsby-resp-image-background-image"],"style":"padding-bottom: 75.07537688442211%; position: relative; bottom: 0; left: 0; background-image: url('data:image/png;base64,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'); background-size: cover; display: block;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n "},{"type":"element","tagName":"img","properties":{"className":["gatsby-resp-image-image"],"style":"width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0; vertical-align: middle; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; box-shadow: inset 0px 0px 0px 400px white;","alt":"Deepfake Jennifer Anistiin ad","title":"","src":"https://images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/5t6OJeGXUHfoiKbbm0I4v2/0685cfc662fa6d00c3aa47a57bc09643/J.Anniston.png","srcSet":["https://images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/5t6OJeGXUHfoiKbbm0I4v2/0685cfc662fa6d00c3aa47a57bc09643/J.Anniston.png?w=249 249w","https://images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/5t6OJeGXUHfoiKbbm0I4v2/0685cfc662fa6d00c3aa47a57bc09643/J.Anniston.png?w=498 498w","https://images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/5t6OJeGXUHfoiKbbm0I4v2/0685cfc662fa6d00c3aa47a57bc09643/J.Anniston.png?w=995 995w"],"sizes":"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px","loading":"lazy"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":"\n "}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n "}]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{"id":"understanding-celebrity-scams","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#understanding-celebrity-scams","ariaLabel":"understanding celebrity scams permalink","className":["anchor","before"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"Understanding celebrity scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Influencers and celebrities are often genuinely paid to endorse real products and companies, which makes it more believable when you see something promoted by your favorite sports athlete or movie star. Scammers are well aware of this and are using influencers' and celebrities' names, likenesses, and social media accounts to deceive people into giving away money, personal information, or other valuable assets. A celebrity scam, or as they’re also commonly termed, "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/did-celebrity-really-endorse-maybe-not","title":"FTC: Did a celebrity really endorse THAT? Maybe not","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"celebrity endorsement scams"}]},{"type":"text","value":", involves the use of a famous person’s identity to create fake endorsements, bogus charitable requests, and fraudulent investment opportunities. So how do these scams work? Well, scammers create convincing ads or profiles on social media platforms, complete with stolen photos and fabricated posts, to make their schemes appear legit. Simply put, at the core of a celebrity scam is the exploitation of the trust and admiration we have for the celebrity being impersonated."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Historical context"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Celebrity endorsements are definitely not "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-celebrity-endorsement-digital-era-das-she-her-hers-/","title":"Linkedin: Evolution of Celebrity Endorsement in the Digital Era","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"a new phenomenon"}]},{"type":"text","value":". Even before you could doom scroll your Facebook and Instagram feed, businesses and brands found ways to capitalize on the fame and influence of celebs. Naturally, scammers caught on and started weaving this trust in celebrity endorsements into their sketchy scams to exploit unsuspecting fans. In the past, these scams often involved direct mail fraud or telephone schemes where impersonators would claim to be fundraising for a celebrity-endorsed charity or offering exclusive memorabilia. With limited ways to verify authenticity, many people fell victim to these early-day scams."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"As technology advanced, so did the sophistication of these scams. The rise of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s saw the emergence of email scams, where fraudsters would impersonate celebrities to solicit donations or sell "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/blog/how-to-spot-fake-shopping-sites-a-comprehensive-guide","title":"Guardio Blog: How to identify fake shopping websites: A comprehensive guide","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"fake products"}]},{"type":"text","value":". These emails often included links to "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/dictionary/phishing","title":"Guardio Dictionary: What's phishing? ","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"phishing"}]},{"type":"text","value":" websites designed to steal personal information."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"How celebrity endorsement scams evolved with technology"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"The popularization of social media platforms have given scammers new and powerful tools to execute their schemes. With billions of users on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, the potential victim pool has expanded exponentially. Scammers can now easily create fake profiles, engage with followers, and even use direct messaging to establish a false sense of credibility."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"The introduction of AI technology has made creating fake celebrity endorsements easier and harder to recognize, escalating the threat of celebrity scams. Scammers are now able to create highly convincing "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/blog/deep-fake-scams-ad-fraud-guide","title":"Guardio Blog: How to spot deepfake and ad fraud","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"deepfake—videos"}]},{"type":"text","value":" or images manipulated to show celebrities endorsing products or causes they have no affiliation with. These AI-generated endorsements can be almost impossible to distinguish from genuine content, making it easier for scammers to dupe even the most tech-savvy people."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"On top of that, the use of "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://theconversation.com/cybercriminals-are-creating-their-own-ai-chatbots-to-support-hacking-and-scam-users-222643","title":"The Conversation: Cybercriminals are creating their own AI chatbots to support hacking and scam users","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"sophisticated bots"}]},{"type":"text","value":" to automate interactions and spread fraudulent posts has made these scams more pervasive. Bots can quickly amplify fake endorsements, making them appear more credible and reaching a larger audience in a shorter amount of time. Yikes!"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{"id":"types-of-celebrity-scams","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#types-of-celebrity-scams","ariaLabel":"types of celebrity scams permalink","className":["anchor","before"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"Types of celebrity scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"While there are many methods of using celebrities and their endorsements in scams, the goal is always the same: to cheat people out of their money, steal their personal information, and in some cases, even their "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/blog/how-to-avoid-identity-theft-online","title":"Guardio Blog: How To Avoid & Recognize Identity Theft Online","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"identity"}]},{"type":"text","value":". Here are some of the most popular celebrity scams you need to watch out for."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Celebrity endorsement scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Fake endorsements are a common scam where fraudsters use a celebrity's name and image to make dubious products or services appear legitimate. Take "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/31/entertainment/oprah-winfrey-gummies-scams-intl-scli-wellness/index.html","title":"CNN: Oprah Winfrey wants fans to know that she doesn’t endorse weight loss gummies or pills","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Oprah Winfrey"}]},{"type":"text","value":", for example. Despite her public denials, scammers have repeatedly used her name and doctored photos to promote fraudulent weight-loss products. These ads often feature fake quotes from Oprah, making it seem like she genuinely endorses these miracle supplements. People who trust Oprah end up buying these questionable products, only to find out later that she had no involvement."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"blockquote","properties":{"className":["instagram-media"],"dataInstgrmCaptioned":"","dataInstgrmPermalink":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkW2EQ1Jwwo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading","dataInstgrmVersion":"14","style":" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"padding:16px;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkW2EQ1Jwwo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading","style":" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;","target":"_blank"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"padding: 19% 0;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"width":"50px","height":"50px","viewBox":"0 0 60 60","version":"1.1","xmlns":"https://www.w3.org/2000/svg","xmlnsXLink":"https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"g","properties":{"stroke":"none","strokeWidth":"1","fill":"none","fillRule":"evenodd"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"g","properties":{"transform":"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)","fill":"#000000"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"g","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"d":"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"},"children":[]}]}]}]}]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"padding-top: 8px;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"View this post on Instagram"}]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"padding: 12.5% 0;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"},"children":[]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"margin-left: 8px;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"},"children":[]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"margin-left: auto;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"},"children":[]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"div","properties":{"style":" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{"style":" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkW2EQ1Jwwo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading","style":" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;","target":"_blank"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"A post shared by Oprah (@oprah)"}]}]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"script","properties":{"async":true,"src":"//www.instagram.com/embed.js"},"children":[]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Social media celebrity fraud"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Impersonation on social media involves scammers creating fake profiles that look like those of well-known celebrities or influencers. A well-known case is "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://digital-leadership-associates.passle.net/post/102gev7/i-almost-got-scammed-by-tom-haanks-heres-why-you-should-be-aware-of-it","title":"I Almost Got Scammed by 'Tom Haanks'- Here's Why You Should Be Aware of It.","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Tom Hanks"}]},{"type":"text","value":". Scammers set up fake Facebook and Twitter accounts using his photos and fabricated posts to make them seem real. They then reach out to fans, pretending to be Hanks and asking for financial support for a charitable cause or a personal emergency. Fans who admire and trust Hanks end up sending money or gift cards, thinking they are helping him out, only to realize they’ve been scammed."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Fake celebrity charity scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Fraudulent charity appeals exploit people’s goodwill by using celebrities’ names and images to solicit donations for fake causes. Scammers use the celeb's name and image to make a campaign seem credible. Generous fans, happy to support a cause backed by their favorite star, end up parting with their money, which goes straight into the scammers' pockets instead of helping those in need."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Deep fake celebrity scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"AI-generated celebrity scams are a new and particularly troubling form of hustle. Using advanced AI technology, scammers create realistic videos or images of celebrities endorsing products or delivering messages they never actually did. For example, an AI-generated celebrity scam video of "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61749120","title":"BBC: YouTube accused of not tackling Musk Bitcoin scam streams","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Elon Musk"}]},{"type":"text","value":" promoting a cryptocurrency scam circulated online, convincing many that he genuinely endorsed the investment."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Similarly, scammers have targeted Taylor Swift fans, aka \"Swifties,\" by creating fake Facebook ads showing Taylor endorsing Le Creuset cookware, complete with a synthetic version of her voice. The ads offer free Dutch ovens, luring fans into the scam. Needless to say, this was a total scam, and no one received anything for free—they just said goodbye to their money."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"From Taylor Swift giving away free cookware to "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://99bitcoins.com/elon-musk-spacex-crypto-scam-video-attracts-100000-live-viewers/","title":"99Bitcoins: Elon Musk SpaceX Crypto Scam Video Attracts 100,000 Live Viewers ","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Elon Musk gifting bitcoins"}]},{"type":"text","value":", these scams are becoming increasingly popular and harder to spot. The sophistication of AI-generated deep fakes and fake endorsements makes it even more challenging to know what's real and what's a scam."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"blockquote","properties":{"className":["twitter-tweet"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{"lang":"en","dir":"ltr"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"We’ve spotted over 1,000 fake sites featuring Kelly Clarkson endorsing weight loss gummies. How do people land on these sites? By clicking on one of these social media ads using deepfakes of Kelly Clarkson. 1/3 🧵 "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://t.co/gtag4sY1pf"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"pic.twitter.com/gtag4sY1pf"}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"— Guardio (@GuardioSecurity) "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://twitter.com/GuardioSecurity/status/1770099811544437042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"March 19, 2024"}]}]},{"type":"text","value":" "},{"type":"element","tagName":"script","properties":{"async":true,"src":"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js","charSet":"utf-8"},"children":[]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{"id":"how-to-recognize-and-avoid-celebrity-scams","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#how-to-recognize-and-avoid-celebrity-scams","ariaLabel":"how to recognize and avoid celebrity scams permalink","className":["anchor","before"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"How to recognize and avoid celebrity scams"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Celebrity scams are becoming increasingly tricky to recognize, making it crucial to know how to spot and avoid them."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h3","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Here are some concrete tips for avoiding celebrity scam traps"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Slow down and think:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" The first step you should take is to slow down and not act or react without taking the time to think and investigate what you're seeing. On social media profiles, always check for the verified blue checkmark to ensure you are interacting with the real celebrity."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Be skeptical of unsolicited messages:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" If you receive a direct message from a celebrity asking for money or personal information, it’s likely a scam."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Research endorsements:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Look up the product or service to see if the celebrity has officially endorsed it. Legitimate endorsements are usually well-publicized."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Avoid sending money or gift cards:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Never send money, gift cards, or personal information to someone you don’t know personally, even if they claim to be a celebrity."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Check for signs of deep fakes:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Be wary of videos or images that seem slightly off or too good to be true. Look for inconsistencies in the celebrity’s appearance or voice."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Use cybersecurity software:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Use cybersecurity software: Protect your computer, mobile, cash, identity, and family by using cybersecurity software like "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/plans","title":"Guardio Plans Page","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Guardio"}]},{"type":"text","value":". Guardio can block fake links and dangerous websites, alert you to phishing emails and texts, and ensure that if you do see a fake celebrity endorsement ad or get contacted by a fake social media account, you stay safe."}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{"id":"the-bottom-line","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#the-bottom-line","ariaLabel":"the bottom line permalink","className":["anchor","before"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"The bottom line"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"From deep fake celebrity scams, sketchy endorsements, and social media impersonations to fraudulent charity requests, celebrity scams are getting trickier to spot and easier to fall for. Luckily, identifying fake celebrity endorsements is a breeze if you have security software like "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/plans","title":"Guardio Plans Page","target":"_blank","rel":["nofollow"]},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Guardio"}]},{"type":"text","value":". Guardio blocks fake links, alerts you to phishing attempts and keeps your online interactions safe. So, next time you're scrolling through your favorite celebrity's posts, you can do it with peace of mind. Stay sharp, stay safe, and keep enjoying the star-studded content!"}]},{"type":"element","tagName":"native-ad","properties":{"id":"ad_install","btn_label":"Get Started","btn_label_mobile":"Start Free Scan","title":"Celebrity endoresement or scam?"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\nWhy risk it? Let Guardio do the guesswork for you!\n"}]}]}}},"exitPop":{"title":"Stay safe online","buttonDest":"https://guard.io/lp","btnText":"Get Started Now","contentfulid":"default","image":{"fixed":{"width":420,"height":250,"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/2nsINtiyvjptpsLBcQzfpa/16bd7cbf6cfb39f1cde72cc5e4a5424b/A_digital_landscape_showing_a_bustling_online_world_with_numerous_connected_devices_like_smartphones__laptops__and_tablets._.png?w=420&h=250&q=50&fit=fill"}},"body":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"html":"

Stay one step ahead with Guardio. Secure your digital world today and start with a free 7-day trial – your safety net against online scams.

"}}}},"allContentfulBlogPost":{"edges":[{"node":{"title":"Do Banks Refund Scammed Money? 7 Tips to Avoid Scams","slug":"do-banks-refund-scammed-money","coverImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[{"srcSet":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=110&h=50&q=50&fm=webp 110w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=220&h=100&q=50&fm=webp 220w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=440&h=200&q=50&fm=webp 440w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=880&h=400&q=50&fm=webp 880w","sizes":"(min-width: 440px) 440px, 100vw","type":"image/webp"}],"fallback":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=440&h=200&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg","srcSet":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=110&h=50&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 110w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=220&h=100&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 220w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=440&h=200&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 440w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/17zlt1Gq939osHuc6WKZAV/bd2d04c59d65c3fd8014db14ce28fd84/do-banks-refund-scammed-money.jpg?w=880&h=400&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 880w","sizes":"(min-width: 440px) 440px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#181818","width":440,"height":199.99999999999997}},"tags":null,"publishDate":"April 6th","body":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"timeToRead":12}},"description":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"excerpt":"Scammers are getting smarter, but do banks refund scammed money? This guide explains when banks issue refunds, common fraud scenarios, and proactive steps to protect your finances."}}}},{"node":{"title":"Steam Tops Q1 2025 Most Imitated Brands, Followed by Surge in Toll Pass Scams","slug":"most-imitated-brands-phishing-scams-q1-2025","coverImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[{"srcSet":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=110&h=50&q=50&fm=webp 110w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=220&h=100&q=50&fm=webp 220w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=440&h=200&q=50&fm=webp 440w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=880&h=400&q=50&fm=webp 880w","sizes":"(min-width: 440px) 440px, 100vw","type":"image/webp"}],"fallback":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=440&h=200&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg","srcSet":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=110&h=50&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 110w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=220&h=100&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 220w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=440&h=200&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 440w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/4Mok7lbJsosqOCPFo4zWF3/fc64b32b66b36b887ebc7fbd14473a74/most-imitated-brands-q1-2025.jpg?w=880&h=400&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 880w","sizes":"(min-width: 440px) 440px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#281838","width":440,"height":199.99999999999997}},"tags":null,"publishDate":"April 3rd","body":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"timeToRead":6}},"description":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"excerpt":"Steam leads Q1 2025 phishing scams as the most-imitated brand, with toll pass and tax scams on the rise. Stay alert with the latest scam protection tips."}}}},{"node":{"title":"Is @support.facebook.com a Legit Email?","slug":"is-support-facebook-com-legit-email","coverImage":{"gatsbyImageData":{"images":{"sources":[{"srcSet":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=110&h=50&q=50&fm=webp 110w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=220&h=100&q=50&fm=webp 220w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=440&h=200&q=50&fm=webp 440w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=880&h=400&q=50&fm=webp 880w","sizes":"(min-width: 440px) 440px, 100vw","type":"image/webp"}],"fallback":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=440&h=200&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg","srcSet":"//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=110&h=50&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 110w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=220&h=100&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 220w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=440&h=200&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 440w,\n//images.ctfassets.net/tdnn4v0n6ild/16b3m1zM4UXAQwBy3M1Wir/fe1c9867710de05d4762ff305aa91405/facebook-legit-email.jpg?w=880&h=400&fl=progressive&q=50&fm=jpg 880w","sizes":"(min-width: 440px) 440px, 100vw"}},"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#2888e8","width":440,"height":199.99999999999997}},"tags":null,"publishDate":"March 27th","body":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"timeToRead":8}},"description":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"excerpt":"Is @support.facebook.com a real Facebook email or a scam? Learn how to verify official Facebook emails, recognize phishing attempts, and protect your account with best practices and…"}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"slug":"celebrity-scams","breadcrumb":{"location":"/celebrity-scams","crumbs":[{"pathname":"/","crumbLabel":"Blog"},{"pathname":"/celebrity-scams","crumbLabel":"celebrity-scams"}]}}},"staticQueryHashes":["1614255152"]}