Be wary of enticing fake celebrity ads on social media

You wake up and see private Facebook messages from … Taylor Swift … Tom Hanks … Jamie Lee Curtis … Scarlett Johansson … Johnny Depp … LeBron James … and Oprah. Wow — what a morning! Except, sorry — they’re not really writing to you.

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, continues to battle a flood of fake ads that use celebrity names and faces — even those of people who’ve passed away. Scammers now use advanced AI to make eerily realistic “deepfake” videos, making it even harder to tell truth from trickery.

A few examples:

• Jamie Lee Curtis called out Meta in May 2025 for a fake AI ad promoting a dental product.
• Tom Hanks has twice warned fans about deepfakes using his voice and image to push fake “miracle cures.”
• Scarlett Johansson and Johnny Depp have also seen their likenesses used without permission for scams.
• Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey have been featured in bogus product endorsements.
• LeBron James sent cease-and-desist letters to stop AI deepfakes misusing his image.

Celebrities — and even financial professionals — have filed lawsuits against Meta for failing to curb the problem. The company has tried using facial recognition, AI, and lawsuits of its own, but the scams keep coming as technology evolves.

 So what does this mean for the rest of us?

First, accept that big-name celebrities are not sliding into your DMs. Then:

• Report fake celebrity ads to the platform.
• File complaints at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Most importantly, don't click, don’t share, and never send money!

If you’re unsure, call the BBB at 419-578-6000.