Staying Fit
Actor Patrick Dempsey tells fans to beware of scammers trying to impersonate him to get money.
Alamy
TV's “Dr. McDreamy,” actor Patrick Dempsey, is the latest celebrity to warn his fans away from scammers using his name to solicit funds on social media.
The former Grey’s Anatomy star used his official Twitter account (@PatrickDempsey) to announce that people have been impersonating him on social media, asking for money and “support” for his charitable organization, the Dempsey Centers, in Maine.
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Dempsey tweeted: “Please do not ever talk to, or give money to anyone saying it is me. My official profile has a blue circle with a check mark. Please report any fake pages to FB, instagram, twitter.”
Dempsey is not the only star fighting online fraud. Last month filmmaker Tyler Perry used a Facebook video to warn fans against unauthorized Facebook accounts using his name to trick fans into sending money and providing private information. Country music star Trace Adkins recently told the New York Times that at all his shows there are fans who have been duped into thinking that he has promised them free tickets and a backstage tour via an online message.
To verify that a Facebook or Twitter account for a public figure, media company or brand is authentic, look for a blue checkmark verification badge on the profile page.
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