October Alert
Celebrity Impersonation Scams
Celebrity impersonation scams occur when fraudsters pretend to be well-known and trusted famous people to trick individuals into purchasing various products online or having them send money and share personal details. AI technology is helping fraudsters achieve this as they can create realistic deepfake videos, voice clones, and automated messaging that make these types of scams harder to spot. Individuals may come across this type of scam on major social media platforms and various online networks.
How to Spot a Celebrity Impersonation Scam
- Fake Profiles & Deepfakes
Watch out for misspelled usernames, unverified accounts, and AI-generated audio or video clips.
- Secrecy & Urgency
Fraudsters will demand that you keep the conversation secret and pressure you to act quickly.
- Odd Payment Methods
Fraudsters will ask for money to be sent via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
- Unsolicited Contact
Real celebrities will not randomly message people directly and/or build relationships with them.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify Legitimacy
Don’t assume celebrity posts, images, or videos are legitimate until you can verify that they came from an official source. Just because something is shared on social media does not mean it’s real.
- Only Purchase from Companies You Know and Trust
If you want to purchase a product, donate funds, try a new investment, etc. only do so through a reputable business and conduct proper due diligence.
- Slow Down
Stop, pause, and verify if a request for money or data feels unusual. Speak with a trusted friend, family member, or financial expert to get their opinion.
- Keep Your Information Private
Never share your banking details, passwords, or personal ID with strangers online.
- Be Cautious with Unsolicited Calls and Messages
Fraudsters can be very convincing, so be cautious of unexpected phone/video calls or messages from supposed “celebrities” trying to have a conversation.
Fraud
Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.
If you suspect your account has been compromised, please report it to us immediately. This will allow us to take appropriate steps to help prevent fraud. Individuals impacted by fraud should also contact local police and file a report about the fraud.
In addition, impacted individuals should contact Canada’s credit reporting agencies – Equifax and TransUnion - and have a fraud alert put on their credit file. This could help prevent someone else from taking out a loan or credit card in your name.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre also has a website which lists the most recent scams, and is full of tips to identify, prevent, and report all types of fraud.