The BBC has issued a scam warning to EastEnders fans about fake social media accounts impersonating cast members.
An official statement has been posted to the soap’s social media channels, urging people to report accounts that request money for interactions with cast members.
“Please note that no cast member of EastEnders employee will ever make contact to request money for meeting, messages, set visits or any other interactions,” the statement reads.
“If you have been contacted, especially on a social media platform via direct or mass message posted to a group, please ensure you report these instances to the relevant platform immediately.”
The statement come shortly after ITV urged Coronation Street and Emmerdale viewers to be “vigilant” about scammers on social media.
“Please be aware that actors from both Coronation Street and Emmerdale are currently being impersonated by scammers across all social media platforms,” the broadcaster shared on its official accounts last week.
“No cast member will ever directly request money for messages, meetings or any kind of personal interaction on social media.”
lITV also said it’s “aware” these “sophisticated impersonations can include deep-fake footage (where it appears to be the actor talking but isn’t) and personal messages which seem to be realistic and in character”.
“We urge everybody to be vigilant,” it added. “Please report any concerns to the relevant platform.”
Emmerdale‘s Lisa Riley has previously warned fans about her likeness being used for a scam, while Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver hit out at accounts exploiting her weight loss in order to scam fans in 2023.