You’re Invited… to a Scam: How Fake Podcast Invites Target Content Creators and Small Business Owners, the BBB Warns

If you’re an influencer, content creator or even a small business owner, a personal invitation to appear on a well-known celebrity podcast doesn’t necessarily raise any alarms. In fact, it might feel like all your hard work is paying off, as you’re offered to share your story with a broader audience and grow your brand.

 But behind this seemingly glamorous opportunity lies a sneaky podcast impostor scam designed to steal your credentials and hijack your social media or business accounts, the BBB recently warned.

If you're not careful, that exciting invitation could cost you your online presence, revenue, and reputation.

How the Podcast Impostor Scam Works

The scam begins with an email from someone claiming to be a manager or producer from a popular podcast. They may say they’ve seen your social media, watched your YouTube videos, or admired your entrepreneurial journey. You’re told you’re a perfect guest and you’ll even be paid $2,000 for the appearance.

What could go wrong?

Let’s say you respond to the email and agree to participate. The scammer will ask you to hop on a call to test your video and audio setup. During this call, you might be told to download software or enter codes, ultimately gaining remote access to your device.

Some scammers may even redirect you to fake login pages resembling Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, tricking you into entering your credentials.

Once they have access, they change your passwords, lock you out, and may use your account to run scams, post malicious content, or request payments from your followers or customers.

This scam is especially dangerous if you reuse passwords across platforms, making it easier for the scammers to infiltrate your other accounts.

These Tactics Aren’t New

The techniques behind podcast impostor scams are nothing new. We’ve already reported on similar scams targeting influencers with offers for crypto endorsements or fake paid collaborations. One incident involved a Romanian blogger invited to appear on a podcast under false pretenses and offered €2,000. As the invitation unfolded, inconsistencies piled up until she realized it was a scam

These stories show how scammers adapt: using seemingly legitimate offers—be it crypto deals or paid appearances—to lure creators and business owners into compromising situations.

You can also read: Scam Offers for Influencers: What to do if Fraudsters Target You with Fake Crypto Endorsements And a Large Paycheck

How to Spot a Podcast Impostor Scam

• Generic language and weird formatting: If the email looks odd, with large, bolded names or oddly phrased praise, it might be part of a mass phishing campaign.
• Suspicious email addresses: Be wary of Gmail or Yahoo email accounts claiming to represent a major brand or podcast. Check official contact details through a quick search or the podcast’s verified social channels.
• Unrealistic payments: Being offered hundreds or thousands of dollars with little negotiation or paperwork should raise red flags.
• Requests for remote access: Never allow unknown individuals to take control of your computer or install software, even if they claim it’s for a “tech check.”
• Urgent or emotional appeals: Scammers may pressure you to act quickly or flatter you into letting your guard down.

Even the savviest entrepreneur or influencer can fall victim to a convincing scam.

That’s why proactive protection is key.

• Bitdefender Security for Content Creators offers advanced real-time threat detection, phishing protection to detect fake sponsorship or phony brand collaboration emails, and round-the-clock monitoring for your social media accounts, including  YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
• Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security safeguards your business data, customer information, and devices against ransomware, credential theft, remote access attacks and much more. It’s built for businesses with up to 25 employees, combining powerful device protection, unlimited VPN, email and scam protection with an easy-to-use security dashboard that doesn’t require a dedicated IT team.

Don’t Forget to Practice Good Cyber Hygiene

• Always use unique, complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts.
• Verify invitations by reaching out to podcast producers through verified channels.
• Use a password manager to keep your credentials secure and avoid reusing passwords.
• Keep your software and security tools up to date to avoid vulnerabilities.
• Stay alert to new scam tactics by following trusted resources like the Bitdefender blog.