Earlier this year, Meta announced the expansion of facial recognition technology to help address issues related to fake advertising and compromised user accounts.
The technology will be used to Meta’s facial recognition technology will be used to target scam adverts that employ celeb bait.
But what is celeb bait and how can you spot it so you can avoid being a victim? We've got you covered in this comprehensive guide.
What Is Celeb Bait?
Celeb bait is a cyber scam where cyber criminals use images of celebrities are used to lure victims into clicking malicious links or ads that lead to fraudulent websites.
Read: Sextortion Scam Uses Photos of Your Home from Google Maps
The scammers exploit the trust and popularity of celebrities to make their schemes seem more legitimate. They can also be used to create more sensational or attention-grabbing content that encourages people to click on links or interact with posts
The criminal criminals create fake advertisements, social media posts, or websites that appear to be endorsed by well-known figures.
Often the goal is to get victims to send money to the scammer.
Scammers may create fake endorsements to sell counterfeit goods or fake investments.
Clicking on malicious links within celeb-bait content can also be promoted so that scammers can install harmful malware onto victims' devices.
How To Spot Celeb Bait?
Celeb bait scams exploit the fame and trust associated with celebrities. Scammers create fake endorsements, advertisements, or social media posts to lure victims into providing personal information, sending money, or clicking malicious links.
Though the advancement of technology like deepfakes has made it harder to spot celeb bait scams but there are still steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to celeb-bait scams.
- Check for Verified Accounts: Look for blue checkmarks on social media platforms, indicating verified official accounts.
- Go to Official Websites: Always verify endorsements or claims by visiting the celebrity's official website or verified social media pages.
- Inspect URLs: Pay close attention to website addresses. Scammers often use slightly altered URLs to mimic legitimate sites.
- Hover Before Clicking: Hover your mouse cursor over links to preview the URL before clicking. Avoid links that look suspicious or unfamiliar.
- Avoid Urgent Requests: Be wary of messages that pressure you to act immediately, as scammers often create a sense of urgency.
- Never Share Sensitive Data: Avoid providing personal information, such as credit card numbers or social security numbers, unless you are on a secure and trusted website.
- Be wary of unsolicited contact: be very suspicious of any unsolicited contact, that asks for personal information.
- Poor Grammar and Spelling: Legitimate celebrity endorsements are usually professionally written. Poor grammar or spelling errors can be a sign of a scam.
- Unprofessional Images or Videos: low quality images or videos can be a warning sign.
If you encounter a suspected celeb-bait scam, report it to the platform where you saw it. If you have given away personal or financial information, contact your financial institutions and report the scam to appropriate authorities.
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