Watch Blake Shelton, Keith Urban + More Warn Fans About Fake Social Media Accounts
Country artists have been dealing with people creating fake accounts online and tricking fans into giving them money. While artists including Kip Moore, Chris Young and Jake Owen have spoken out about the problem before, a group of country artists recently teamed up for a PSA on social media safety in hopes of driving the point home.
Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Lindsay Ell, Jon Pardi, Hunter Hayes, Trace Adkins, Cole Swindell, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson and more have taken part in a nearly three-minute clip warning fans about social media imposters. In the clip above, titled PSA: Imposters on Social Media, each singer lets fans know numerous times that the only account they use is the one with a blue verified check-mark next to their name.
"I can't believe I'm having to do this," Adkins says. "Please do not engage with these people or send them money."
Shelton then chimes in, commenting on how every day he notices more and more people pretending to be him on social media. Hayes says he's been appalled to learn that these fake accounts have tricked his fans into buying fake tickets to private shows or sending money.
Morris has more heated words for these types of people.
"They are just losers," Morris says, before Urban and Shelton use harsher descriptions. While Urban calls it "complete bulls--t," Shelton is even more aggressive.
"Never give out any of your private information," he asserts. "If you do, you're f--king dumb."
The PSA was created by Nashville for Social Media Safety, and their website advises country fans, "Be cautious. Report fake accounts. Never give out any of your private information."
The website adds, "Every day we notice more and more people pretending to be artists on social media and tricking fans into invasive situations. We want to set the record straight — your favorite artists have not and will not ever ask you for your personal information or anything like that. Know how to spot the signs of fake accounts, report imposters, and help us take charge of this growing issue to protect the best fans in the world."
What Is Blake Shelton Doing in These Crazy Pictures?!