Shirley Ballas has been forced to send an urgent message to her social media followers as scam artists have targeted her fans.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, explained on her Instagram Story over the weekend that false accounts posing as the dancer have been contacting her followers as she urged them to remember “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
Ballas shared a string of messages urging her fans not to fall for the scam, which has seen fake profiles replying to her followers’ comments on social media.
The choreographer wrote: “Morning all, I’ve been made aware of accounts pretending to be me on Facebook.
“The fake accounts are replying to my comments and sending direct messages.”
Sharing a snap of her official profile, she added: “This account above with the verified blue tick and 102,000 followers is my ONLY official account.
Shirley Ballas sent out the warning on social media
BBC
“Any other account pretending to be me, my ‘private account’ or anything else of the sort is FAKE and the people running it are SCAMMERS.”
She went on to beg those reading to be vigilant, adding: “Please do not interact, message or give any information to anyone online pretending to be me or anybody else you follow online.
“If it seems too good to be true it probably is. Scams are on the rise so please stay alert.”
Her next post showed examples of one of the false accounts responding to a fan’s comment with requests for them to get in touch.
Shirley Ballas issued a warning on Instagram
Instagram
One of the messages sent by the scam profile read: “Feel free to send me a direct message if you with to speak with me,” while another stated: “Thanks for your comment.”
Ballas went on in a third post: “It’s tricky to spot a fake account. But look… only 25 likes, 177 followers and “Only Official Private Chat” in the bio makes this fake.”
She concluded the warning: “I HAVE NO PRIVATE CHAT. Stay safe.”
Ballas isn’t the first famous face to have to send out the unfortunate warning, with singing legend Tom Jones recently having bee at the centre of a similar scam.
In November, his team issued a similar message to the 84-year-old’s fans, which read: “Regrettably, it has come to our attention that there is a large number of fake online profiles impersonating Sir Tom Jones and/or his team, who are attempting to scam fans and members of the public.
“Please be aware that Sir Tom Jones only has access to his verified (blue tick) Facebook/Instagram/X/Youtube and TikTok accounts.”
Shirley Ballas warned fans of a social media scam
BBC
The warning detailed: “Sir Tom does not communicate to individuals directly or personally via his social channels.
“If a fake profile tried to chat with you privately, report and block them. This will NOT be Sir Tom Jones or his team.
“It is sad and disheartening to hear of these scammers attempting to trap and abuse vulnerable people, so please be careful and stay safe online. Tom Jones management.”
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