Did a celebrity really endorse THAT? Maybe not

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Before you spend money on that celebrity-endorsed premium cookware, weight loss product, or can’t-miss money-making opportunity, pause. Take a breath. Are you sure a celebrity or influencer is really endorsing that product or program? Maybe a scammer is behind that online ad. Scammers are using fake celebrity and influencer testimonials and endorsements — complete with doctored video and audio that seems like the real thing — to generate buzz and profits.

“But it looks and sounds real, so it must be true,” right? Not so much. The technology to make fake endorsement videos is improving all the time. Your best bet is to do some research on your own. Before you click and buy, follow this advice:

• Check out that celebrity or influencer testimonial. Search online using their name, the name of the company or product, and words like “scam” or “fake.” See what others are saying.
• Resist pressure to commit quickly. Scammers want** **you to act fast, and the ad might say it’s a limited time deal. But it’s not true. They just don’t want you to do any research or think it through.
• Ask your health care professional about dietary supplements. The government doesn’t review** **or evaluate supplements for safety or effectiveness before they’re put on the market. Even a natural supplement can be risky depending on your health and the medicine you take, and your doctor knows your health better than a celebrity.
• Know the investment risk. If anyone says you can earn a lot of money on an investment with little or no risk, don’t buy into the hype. Investments always involve risk — there are no guaranteed returns. Visit Investor.gov, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website, for more advice on investing and avoiding fraud.

Have you spotted a bogus celebrity endorsement? Report it to the FTC.

Comments closed.

Charmaine Gage

Thanks for the alert!

Thomas Santee

I appreciate these warnings. I feel like I am aware of the issue but it's always a good reminder to see these.

John L. Coniglio

It’s the AI. ABUSE THAT HAS STARTED WITHOUT PROPER CONSIDERATION OF DATA OR OUTCOME - a runaway freight train

John Richardson

I see a lot of questionable adds on Facebook. Most are time consuming click bait phishing expeditions. They are using credible personalities. Some real, some more questionable. Buyer beware.

Marnix A. van…

Sad to say, I fell for one of these scams 2 or 3 years ago. I forget the exact scam. I think it had to do with a CBD product that was endorsed or used by Don Lemon. It wasn't a whole lot of money, but still, what I got was worthless and there seemed to be no recourse for getting my money back. It's the only scam I've ever fallen for. I think it just hit me at the right time and under the right circumstances where I was too quick to go for something.

Karen

Thank you for the alert

Dale CAMERON

According to what I've read, most celebrities don't pay attention to text in the ad; just notice name of company and wait for check to arrive (Kim Kardashian is exception).

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