Has a celebrity reached out to you on social media? It’s probably a scammer

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Celebrity scams have been around for a few years, but we’re seeing an increase in them right now.A viewer sent News 8 On Your Side an email: “Actor Taylor Kinney from ‘Chicago Fire’ is talking to me…or is it a scammer?”She passed along a driver’s license photo that was sent to her, trying to convince her it really was Taylor Kinney.While the actor was born in Lancaster County, one look at the license gave away that it was fake.The address on it – 120 North Duke St. in Lancaster – is Lancaster City Hall.The fake license is a good example of the technology scammers have at their fingertips to make their stories more believable.Their stories seem pretty convincing, too.They’ll ask fans to send money for all kinds of supposed reasons — like claiming a prize, donating to a charity or giving help of some kind. Some celebs do raise money for legitimate causes. Before you send money, do some research.Search online for the celebrity’s name plus “scam.” Do the same with any charity or cause they’re asking you to support.Getting the attention of a celebrity may seem nice; however, in cases like this, you’re getting scammed!

Celebrity scams have been around for a few years, but we’re seeing an increase in them right now.

A viewer sent News 8 On Your Side an email: “Actor Taylor Kinney from ‘Chicago Fire’ is talking to me…or is it a scammer?”

She passed along a driver’s license photo that was sent to her, trying to convince her it really was Taylor Kinney.

While the actor was born in Lancaster County, one look at the license gave away that it was fake.

The address on it – 120 North Duke St. in Lancaster – is Lancaster City Hall.

The fake license is a good example of the technology scammers have at their fingertips to make their stories more believable.

Their stories seem pretty convincing, too.

They’ll ask fans to send money for all kinds of supposed reasons — like claiming a prize, donating to a charity or giving help of some kind.

Some celebs do raise money for legitimate causes.

Before you send money, do some research.

Search online for the celebrity’s name plus “scam.”

Do the same with any charity or cause they’re asking you to support.

Getting the attention of a celebrity may seem nice; however, in cases like this, you’re getting scammed!

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