LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Did you get a message from someone famous, like Snoop Dogg or Garth Brooks? We hate to burst your bubble, but it’s probably a scam.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Michiganders Monday of an uptick in celebrity-impersonation scams.
Scammers will pose as famous faces and even military leaders in scams designed to steal money from victims.
The scams vary, but are typically one of three kinds:
- Romance scams: Victims believe they are in an online relationship with well-known individuals that often involve requests for money.
- Cryptocurrency or “pig butchering” scams: Fake cryptocurrency or business investment opportunities endorsed by the celebrity or official.
- Merchandise scams: Consumers are asked to purchase custom or exclusive merchandise from a scammer posing as a well-known individual.
“While it may be disappointing to hear, you are probably not in a secret, long-distance relationship with Garth Brooks,” Nessel said. “Scammers are constantly coming up with elaborate schemes to steal your money and may be posing as celebrities or public officials. If someone claiming to be Garth or any other famous figure is asking you personally for money, don’t send it. It’s almost certainly a scam.”
To avoid these scams, Nessel provided a list of tips and what to look out for:
- Never agree to open a bank account or re-ship goods sent to you.
- Do not send money, prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to someone you met online.
- Communicate only through the specific app and avoid giving out personal phone numbers or email addresses.
- Slow down and talk to someone you trust before responding if someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance.
- Don’t send money, trade, or invest with a person you have only met online.
- Don’t speak of your financial position or investments with strangers online.
- Don’t share personal information or current financial status with strangers.
- Don’t provide your banking information, social security number, copies of your identification or passport, or any other sensitive information to anyone online or to a site that you cannot verify is authentic.
- Be cautious of individuals who claim to have exclusive investment opportunities and urge you to act fast.
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