Golf sensation Paige Spiranac has taken a stand against online scams and impersonations, determined to shield herself and her loyal fanbase from the escalating menace. Renowned for her candid demeanor and readiness to confront issues head-on, she has made it her mission to educate her followers about the risk of online fraud, particularly involving deepfakes and impersonation scams.
In 2021, Spiranac had warned her fans about fraudsters masquerading as her on the internet, which she described as a terrifying situation. Regrettably, a year later, the scams have re-emerged. On January 18, Spiranac found herself needing to clarify her identity when a fan engaged with an impersonator believing it to be her. Despite Spiranac’s swift response, the fan remained convinced that they were communicating with the real Spiranac, showcasing the effectiveness of these scams.
Spiranac has repeatedly emphasized that she interacts with her fans solely through her verified Passes account and other authenticated social media platforms. She has alerted her followers about scammers leveraging her name, declaring, “Anyone claiming to be me or an associate of mine is fake.” Despite these persistent warnings, incidents where her identity has been misused persist. A prominent example involved an old video of Spiranac, where her image was manipulated, and her head cover replaced with a sign bearing a personal message.
Spiranac has expressed her concern over the abundance of fake accounts, highlighting the dangerous situations they have created for her and others. She has urged social media platforms to prioritize the elimination of these impersonation accounts. To reinforce her point, she recently posted a reminder on her Instagram story stating, “Hi just a friendly reminder I don’t have a telegram or anything like that! The only place you can talk to me directly is on Passes.”
Her Passes account, she explains, exists to eradicate any confusion with impersonators. To ensure her followers’ safety, she included a link to her verified account in the story. Spiranac remains steadfast in her battle against these scams, striving to keep her followers informed and secure.
However, Spiranac is not alone in this struggle. The issue of fake accounts continues to plague other female golfers. Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson have also fallen victim to this social scamming web. Hull informed her followers about fake accounts created in her name, particularly a TikTok account, and urged them to report it. Thompson warned her followers about the surge of fraudulent accounts tricking fans into believing they are in a relationship with her or scamming them for money or gifts. Jin Young Ko, too, has faced similar issues.
As the problem of internet scams and impersonations continues to amplify, it raises unsettling questions about the safety of golfers, influencers, and fans alike. How long will this issue persist, and what measures should be taken to combat it? These are questions that demand immediate attention and action.
