"They Wanted My Amazing Story," Says Blogger Targeted in an Influencer Scam — How to Spot and Stop These Scams

Printesa Urbana, a Romanian blogger and author of several parenting books, has built a strong and trusted community online. Her Facebook page has over 272,000 followers, and like other entrepreneurs with a loyal audience, she became a target for influencer scams.

"About a month ago, I got an email from someone claiming to be the assistant of a well-known US blogger," she says. "They invited me to be a guest on her podcast—and said they'd pay me for it."

Curious, she checked out the person they claimed to represent. The podcast's last guest had been none other than actress Kate Hudson. "Really? Me, right after Kate Hudson? And I don't even create content in English," she laughs. "They said they wanted to share my amazing story with their audience. It felt like too much."

She kept digging and discovered even more bold claims. Apparently, the host was also related to Taylor Swift, and they were offering thousands of dollars to participate in the podcast. But first, they wanted her to join a short Zoom call to set up the details.

"In the meantime, I got another email—this time from the assistant of a different famous blogger. Each of their episodes gets a million views, and they were also interested in paying me 2,000 euros to tell my amazing story."

That's when she started getting suspicious and searched on Google. Her gut feeling was right. She found out that this type of scam had been around for at least a year. It starts with a fake invite to a podcast or interview, sometimes with the promise of payment and a well-known host. Once you agree, the scammer sets up a Zoom meeting. During or after the call, they ask for access to your Facebook page to "go live" or "stream to your audience." And once they have access, they either drain your ad account or threaten to delete your page unless you pay.

"I never got to that stage, but others have," she says. "Dozens of influencers have fallen for it. And if you've spent 10 or 15 years building your page, it's heartbreaking to think it could all vanish in a second."

(Book and blog author — printesaurbana.ro)

Influencer scams don't just target big creator names with millions of followers and established brand names.

They're aimed at anyone with an engaged following and a public profile. If you're growing a brand on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn—whether it's your personal profile or a business account—you know how valuable visibility is.

Scammers have caught on to the fact that content creators and small entrepreneurs are eager to collaborate to expand their audience and business. That's why fake brand deals, phony podcast invites, and other "influencer scams" are becoming more common—and more convincing.

What are Influencer Scams?

Influencer scams are fake offers made to creators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners under the promise of a collaboration, partnership, or feature. They're designed to look like opportunities to grow your reach, get free products, or be seen as an expert in your field. In reality, these scams are meant to steal your money, your data, or even your social media accounts.

Unlike phishing emails or random spam, influencer scams usually feel personal. They come as private messages from accounts that seem legit. They use industry lingo and flattery to build trust quickly. This personal touch is what makes them dangerous—they're designed to bypass your usual skepticism.

5 Most Common Types of Influencer Scams to Watch Out For

1. The fake ambassadorship scam

This one often starts with a direct message: "We love your content! Want to be a brand ambassador?" You're told you'll receive free products or a discount code and maybe even a commission on sales. But there's a catch—you're asked to buy the product upfront to "activate" your discount, or click a suspicious link to "register" or "sign a contract."

Sometimes, the brand doesn't even exist. Other times, your payment vanishes, and no product ever arrives. Some scammers use this trick to get access to your social media logins or personal information.

2. The podcast invite scam

You're invited to be a guest on a podcast. It might sound like a great way to build authority and share your story. But after a few emails or DMs, things start to feel off. Maybe you're asked to pay a fee to confirm your interview slot, or you're sent a sketchy link to schedule the session. Or the scammer asks you to download something—malware disguised as a calendar file or a video call tool.

Even if no money is involved, these scams can trick you into giving away personal data or infecting your device with malware.

3. The fake PR or marketing agency scam

Some scammers pretend to represent big brands and say they're organizing influencer partnerships. Others claim they'll help you grow your reach—for a fee. They might ask you to log in to a portal to "view your campaign," but the site steals your password. Or they might request access to your account to "optimize" your content, then lock you out completely.

4. The phishing link disguised as a brand brief

You're asked to click a link to read a campaign brief or sign a contract. The link looks legit—but it leads to a phishing page that mimics Instagram or Google. If you log in, you've just handed over your credentials.

5. The "sponsored content" trap

Some scammers offer to pay you for a single post or story. They might send over fake contracts or ask for your banking info early on. In reality, they're trying to steal your financial details or plant malware in attachments.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Request

If you get a podcast invite, brand collaboration proposal, or influencer deal that feels a little too good to be true, don't ignore that gut feeling. Here's what to do before you click, reply, or commit:

• Be skeptical of anything that asks you to pay upfront or promises big money for little effort – Real partnerships won't ask you to buy products to "activate" a deal or charge a fee just to participate. If someone offers thousands for minimal effort, ask questions and proceed with caution.
• Pause and verify the sender – Look them up online. Do they have a real website? A verified social media presence? Contact details that check out? If things don't line up, it's likely a scam.
• Don't rush to respond – Phrases like "limited spots" or "we need an answer today" are designed to pressure you. Take your time. Free tools like Bitdefender Scamio can help you verify suspicious messages, emails, or DMs before you act on them. It's an easy way to get a second opinion when something feels off, but you're not sure why.
• Avoid clicking any links – Scam links often use shortened URLs or imitate real websites. If you're not sure, don't click. You can copy and paste it into Bitdefender Link Checker and stop engaging further.
• Never share your login info or page access – No genuine brand or podcast host will ask for admin access to your Facebook or Instagram page. If they do, walk away immediately.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) – Enable 2FA on all your social accounts. It adds a layer of security—even if someone gets your password, they won't be able to log in without that second step.
• Report and block the scammer – Once you've confirmed it's a scam, report the account on the platform (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) and block them to prevent future contact.
• Tell your community – Consider posting a quick warning. Scammers often use the same tricks on multiple people, and your warning could stop someone else from getting fooled.

You work hard to build your brand and connect with your audience. The last thing you need is a scam tearing it down. 

Bitdefender Security for Creators gives you the peace of mind to keep doing what you love—securely. Whether you're uploading videos, editing content, or managing a team, this all-in-one security suite protects your creative process at every step. It monitors your YouTube account 24/7 to prevent takeovers, flags shady sponsor emails with Scam Guard, keeps your devices and passwords safe, and even extends protection to collaborators through Team Shield.

If something goes wrong, you’re not alone—Bitdefender guides you through a full account recovery. And with live reports and account health checks, you always stay one step ahead.

Tailored to the way creators work, Bitdefender Security for Creators is your behind-the-scenes shield—soon expanding to Instagram and Facebook, too.

Ready to protect your work? Check out our plans for creators.