Greetings, SE’ers! Happy New Year! Beem Weeks here with you again. Today, I’m discussing fake social media accounts.
Recently, I received notice of a new follower on a certain social media platform. Not unusual, as this account is attached to my podcast and publisher. We gain new followers daily. But this new follower stood out among the others. I know the person. I know she had already been a follower of the account. The photo and bio were legit, but the name had subtle misspellings. A quick screen shot and message to the legit person revealed this was not a new account helmed by her. She reported the fraud to the platform in question.
I’ve seen this sort of deception many times over the years. As authors, we tend to become familiar with those who follow our accounts. They may be fellow authors, publishers, podcasters, bloggers, or readers. We have come to rely on them for help in promoting our latest projects. Many even become our friends over the years.
So, what is the end game of such deceit? I suspect there are many reasons people of low (or no) character would take time to create a fake account pretending to be another person.
Three or four years ago, I received notice of a new follower. I recognized the name as a fellow author I’ve known for nearly ten years. I thought it odd he only just started following my account, though I didn’t question it. I simply chose to follow back. Immediately, this person sent me a DM. His message claimed he was an American doctor from Atlanta currently stationed with the U. S. Army in Syria. Red flags took flight. The legit person I know is an eighty-something-year-old retiree living in California. He’s not a doctor—nor has he ever been in the military.
I did a quick check of my followers and, sure enough, the real person had already been following me for years. I alerted him of this imposter and shared the phony DM message. Jump ahead a few years and I get another new follower on a different platform. I didn’t recognize the name but chose to follow back. Immediately after I followed, this person dropped into my DM and gave me the very same story, almost word for word (from Atlanta, doctor, in the Army, stationed in Syria). I called this person out. They responded with fake outrage. How dare I accuse them of being anything but legit. This person stood steadfast upon their lie.
This sort of thing happens quite often. I encounter it monthly. I usually reach out to the one being spoofed, share a screen shot, and advise them on how to proceed. Most will report it to the appropriate platform authority and see that the culprit account is vanquished. Some, however, see no harm in the charade.
So, should you worry over such deception? In a word, yes. These are not just harmless scallywags having a laugh. If they are approaching others in DMs while masquerading as YOU, there are almost certainly ulterior motives involved. If you’re a writer, you have a brand to protect. I imagine these fraudsters will eventually get around to exploiting ways to take advantage of others once trust has been gained. If there’s criminal intent, they perpetrate it in your name, under your brand. That can be quite damaging to the hard work you’ve invested in building that brand.
I recently read an article in Rolling Stone magazine detailing the decades-long battle funk and R&B musician Bootsy Collins has waged against several fraudsters. These fakes go the extra mile to look and sound just like the bass legend—though none were able to play like him. One such phony took advantage of members of Miles Davis’s band, going so far as to “borrow” money from one. Another rented a hotel room under the original’s name, then skated off, sticking the real deal with the bill. These fakes are now showing up on social media, still pretending to be Mr. Collins, still trying to get free stuff under his name.
What can we do to halt potential harm from such vile sorts? Do a regular search of your handles on the platforms you use. During your search, alter your handle by adding underscores, dashes, periods, or extra letters (@beem @beeem @beemm, @_beem, @be_em, etc.) If you find another account using your photo or avatar, your bio, your links, or your name, report the account immediately. Do a monthly Google search of your brand name. This is a good way to find false accounts on platforms you may not use.
This can apply to anybody—even those who aren’t writers or musicians or bloggers or actors. It happens to the famous and the not-so-famous. It’s somebody pretending to be YOU. This should never be taken lightly. But don’t let it freak you out, either. Don’t let it chase you off social media. Just be vigilant. Be protective of your name, your brand, your identity. It belongs to you!