If you are on social media, there’s a likely chance that you’ve crossed paths with a celebrity, if only in passing. With more and more figures turning to popular platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to connect with their fans, the line between a celebrity and their everyday audience is beginning to blur, especially as popular figures become more active on social media.
However, there are times when celebrity interactions with fans are too good to be true.
With deepfakes proliferating social media, fake charities springing up to take money, and celebrity impersonators sending direct messages to fans out of the blue, it is more important than ever to understand the signs of a scam. This is where tools like Social Catfish come into play.
Why Fake Celebrities Are a Problem
The emotional connection that comes with connecting to a celebrity you admire cannot be understated. For many, celebrities are an inspiration, especially if they happen to be famous actors or singers.
Unfortunately, celebrity scams are not uncommon, and the people who pretend to be them know how to tug at everyday people’s heartstrings. With fraud rampant and emotional manipulation a common tactic, scammers rely on people’s hopes for interaction to carry out their scams.
You might be wondering: what are the signs, and how do I know who is real and who is fake, especially in an era of deepfakes?
How to Spot a Fake Celebrity Online
Though deepfakes are becoming increasingly common, and are now easier to generate thanks to artificial intelligence, there are several ways you can confirm the authenticity of a public figure online.
The first is to check their follower counts. Scammers oftentimes do not have access to the hundreds of thousands of followers that a celebrity might have. When looking at a follower count, check to see how high it is. If it’s relatively low, it is likely that they are a scammer.
The second is to verify whether or not they have a badge attached to their name to confirm their identity. These are generally given to celebrities by a social media account to confirm their authenticity.
The third is to consider any unusual behavior coming from the celebrity. Celebrities don’t often direct messages to fans. If they ask for money or pursue you romantically, you can guarantee that they are not the real deal. This is especially true for charities a fake celebrity might create to tug at heartstrings and wallets.
Finally, consider their communication style. Is it on-brand with how the celebrity normally speaks? If not, it’s likely a scammer trying to gain information about you.
Tools to Confirm Identity
Several tools can be used to confirm the identity of the person you are talking with. Reverse image searches can return you to the page where the image comes from, while public record checks can help you verify where the celebrity might live.
Social media audit tools, such as Social Catfish, can also help you confirm the authenticity of the person you are talking with.
What to Do If You’re Contacted By a “Celebrity”
Unless the celebrity has an adequate reason, you are likely never going to be contacted by one. You should never share personal information to someone you meet online, especially if it seems too good to be true. You should also never send money to someone you don’t know, especially not someone claiming to be a celebrity.
If something seems off about your interaction with a supposed celebrity, report the account on social media platforms to ensure that other people are not scammed in the process.
At a time when social media is blurring the lines between celebrities and their fans, it is important to remain vigilant when you are interacting with people online. Learning how to recognize fake celebrities is less about the fame they might have, and, ultimately, more about your digital safety.
The information contained in or available through this article is general in nature; it is not intended to as medical advice or a substitute for obtaining medical advice. The author makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained this article. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this article with other sources and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.
