Don’t Get Grinched by the Ellen DeGeneres Scam

Summary

• The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has seen a rise in the Ellen DeGeneres scam. According to reports, people are receiving phone calls, text messages, emails and social media messages that they have won prizes ranging from $30,000 to $100,000.
• The prizes allegedly include iPhones, kitchen appliances, and, in one instance, a brand-new Tesla. To claim these prizes, scammers demand payment in gift cards, purportedly for delivery fees ranging from $80 to $300.
• To avoid an Ellen DeGeneres scam, be skeptical of any offers that seem too good to be true. Also, don’t click on any links or provide personal information in messages you are not expecting. Instead, go back to the source directly to verify the validity of the message.
• If you want to learn more about the Ellen DeGeneres scam, or if you believe you are the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC by text or phone (888.400.5530) or live chat on our company website, idtheftcenter.org.

Like many great celebrities, Ellen DeGeneres is known for her generosity and gifts to her many fans. During the holidays, she tends to ramp up the effort and give high-dollar gifts to countless people. Unfortunately, in the past, the publicity surrounding these endearing episodes of her show has led to Ellen Facebook scams. Now, the Ellen DeGeneres scam is happening in more places than just Facebook.

What is the Ellen DeGeneres Scam?

In 2019, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported on the Ellen Facebook scam. Under the guise of The Ellen Show, fake accounts were offering sought-after prizes to social media users who would jump through their hoops and fulfill their requirements. It could have been commenting, sharing the post, liking it, or clicking a link and filling out a form with a lot of personal information.

The ITRC is again seeing a rise in the Ellen DeGeneres scam. This time on more than just Facebook. According to reports, people are receiving phone calls, text messages, emails and social media messages that they have won prizes ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. The prizes allegedly include iPhones, kitchen appliances, and, in one instance, a brand-new Tesla. To claim these prizes, scammers demand payment in gift cards, purportedly for delivery fees ranging from $80 to $300.

What Are Some of the Dangers?

In some past cases, hoaxes of this kind have also led to financial loss when scammers move forward with their crimes. People in other scams, such as the Ellen Facebook scam, have been asked for their personal information, complete identities and money. This holiday season, and all year long, do not be taken in by an Ellen DeGeneres scam.

How Can You Avoid an Ellen DeGeneres Scam?

If it is a bogus post on Facebook, commenting on a Facebook post to warn others that it is a scam can link your account to the scammer’s post. Instead, make your own post with a screenshot of the original if you want to get the word out and warn others. You can also report the post to Facebook or the Group in which it was posted. Social media scams and hoaxes like the Ellen Facebook scam are serious issues. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to know how to spot the indicators. Major companies have official accounts (sometimes with a checkmark) and do not make grammatical errors.

Also, stop and think about what they are really offering. It is unlikely that a company will give $100 coupons to everyone who likes a post or build houses for people only if you respond in the nick of time. For all other Ellen DeGeneres scams, be skeptical of any offers that seem too good to be true. Don’t click on any links or provide personal information in messages you are not expecting. Always go back to the source directly to verify the validity of the message.

Contact the ITRC

If you want to know more about the Ellen DeGeneres scam, think you have been targeted by the scam, or believe you have been the victim of an identity crime, contact us. You can speak with an ITRC expert advisor toll-free by phone or text (888.400.5530) or by using the live chat function on the company website. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.

This blog was published on 12/24/2019 and was updated on 12/9/2024