The holiday season is a prime time for shopping, gift-giving, and celebrating with loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for scammers. As consumer activity spikes, so does the volume of fraudulent ads, impersonation attempts, and AI-created deepfakes especially those featuring celebrities. Here are some scams to look out for and how to identify them.
Common Types of Fake Celebrity Promotions
1. AI Deepfake Endorsements
These are manipulated videos that appear to show a celebrity speaking directly about a product or promotion something they never actually endorsed.
2. Misleading Sponsored Ads
Scammers run paid ads using stolen celebrity photos or AI-generated images to push fake brands, supplements, crypto schemes, or discounted items.
3. Giveaway Scams
Fake posts claim that a celebrity is giving away:
- Cash
- Gift cards
- Cars
- Holiday trips
These often request personal information or direct you to a suspicious landing page.
4. Fake “New Product Launches”
You may see ads claiming a celebrity quietly launched:
- A skincare line
- A perfume
- A mystery discount
- A surprise collaboration
All of which lead to fraudulent storefronts.
How to Spot a Fake Celebrity Ad
1. The offer seems unrealistically good
If a celebrity is giving away $5,000, launching a secret 90%-off product, or promoting a crypto giveaway… it’s almost certainly fake.
2. No official channels mention it
Real promotions appear on verified Instagram, TikTok, or X accounts and are usually covered by reputable outlets.
3. The account is unverified or misspelled
Be extra cautious with handles that include:
- Extra letters
- Underscores
- Random numbers
4. Something feels “off” in the video or image
Signs of AI manipulation include:
- Inconsistent lighting
- Off-sync mouth movements
- Strange eye blinking
- Unnatural shadows
5. They ask for personal information
Real giveaways NEVER require:
- Bank details
- Social Security numbers
- Credit card information
- Payment for shipping
6. The website link looks unfamiliar
Hover over URLs before clicking. Scam sites often use:
- Misspelled domains
- Unrelated domain extensions
- Long, suspicious strings of characters
How Vermillio Helps Celebrities Protect Themselves
AI-driven misinformation requires AI-driven protection and that’s where TraceID comes in.
TraceID enables celebrities and content creators to:
- Monitor their likeness and IP – Track where their image, name, and content appear across social media and online platforms 24/7
- Detect unauthorized use – Identify when their likeness is being used without permission, including in AI-generated deepfakes and fake endorsement ads
- Receive real-time alerts – Get notified immediately when fraudulent content featuring them is discovered online
- Issue takedown requests – Take action to remove unauthorized content that misuses their image or likeness
- Report infractions manually – Submit infringement reports directly from the dashboard using just a link to flag fraudulent ads quickly
Essentially, TraceID gives celebrities control over how their image and likeness are used online, protecting them from being exploited in scams and fake endorsement campaigns without their knowledge or consent. For consumers, this means peace of mind. For brands, it means protection against impersonation and fraudulent ads.
During the holidays, peak scam season, TraceID provides critical visibility into what’s real and what isn’t.
How To Stay Safe This Season
- Double-check announcements on official celebrity or brand accounts
- Don’t click suspicious ads or pop-ups
- Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true
- Use TraceID by Vermillio to protect your own digital footprint
- Slow down and trust your instincts
Final Thoughts
Fake celebrity ads and AI-driven impersonation are rising fast, especially during the holidays. But with awareness, shoppers can stay safe, informed, and empowered.
If you’re a brand or creator interested in protecting your community from impersonation or misuse, our team is here to help.