ELLEN DEGENERES PRIZE SCAM

SCAM WARNING: The Persistent Threat of the Ellen DeGeneres Prize Scam

In recent months, a significant rise in the Ellen DeGeneres prize scam has alarmed consumers across the United States, as reported by the Identity Theft Resource Center on December 9, 2024.

This scam, categorized as a ‘Sweepstakes Scam’, which exploits the well-known generosity of the former talk show host, has resurfaced with a vengeance, targeting unsuspecting individuals through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media messages. Scammers claim that recipients have won prizes ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, with alleged rewards including iPhones, kitchen appliances, and even a brand-new Tesla. However, to claim these prizes, victims are asked to pay delivery fees ranging from $80 to $300 in gift cards, a telltale sign of fraud. This article explores the mechanics of the Ellen DeGeneres prize scam, its historical patterns, the tactics used by scammers, the impact on victims, and actionable steps to avoid becoming a target, emphasizing the importance of skepticism in the face of offers that seem too good to be true.

Please NOTE: Ellen is currently living in the United Kingdom.

The Mechanics of the Ellen DeGeneres Prize Scam

The Ellen DeGeneres Prize Scam (Sweepstakes Scam) operates by leveraging the celebrity’s reputation for generosity, a trait she cultivated over years of hosting her talk show, which ended in 2022. Scammers send messages across multiple platforms, informing recipients they have won substantial prizes. According to reports, these prizes range from cash sums of $30,000 to $100,000 to high-value items like iPhones, kitchen appliances, and a Tesla vehicle. The catch lies in the requirement to pay a delivery fee, typically between $80 and $300, using gift cards. This method is a common tactic in scams because gift cards are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to recover once the funds are accessed by the scammer.

The scam’s messaging often includes urgent language, pressuring victims to act quickly to secure their prize. For example, a typical message might claim that the recipient must pay the fee immediately, or the prize will be awarded to someone else. This urgency exploits the victim’s fear of missing out, a psychological tactic designed to override rational decision-making. Additionally, scammers may include links in their messages, directing victims to fraudulent websites or forms where they are asked to provide personal information, such as their name, address, or financial details, further exposing them to identity theft risks.

Historical Patterns and Evolution of the Scam

The Ellen DeGeneres Prize Scam (Sweepstakes Scam) is not a new phenomenon. As early as 2018, reports surfaced of similar schemes, often centered on social media platforms like Facebook. Snopes documented instances in November 2018 where fake accounts posing as DeGeneres promised prizes for liking and sharing posts, a tactic known as like-farming. These scams aimed to build large followings to sell the pages to third parties or to harvest user data for malicious purposes. By 2019, Malwarebytes Labs reported that scammers were using fake Facebook profiles to promote giveaways, offering cars, gift cards, and cash, often directing users to download movies or complete surveys that led to malicious sites.

The scam evolved over the years, adapting to new platforms and technologies. In 2021 and 2022, Snopes uncovered variations promising $750 or $1,000 in Cash App prizes, as well as Amazon gift cards, PlayStation 5 consoles, and iPhones. These scams often required users to like, share, and comment on posts, with some directing them to external sites to register, exposing them to phishing attempts. A particularly egregious case in Ozark, Missouri, reported by KY3 in December 2018, involved a woman named Teresa Stage who lost nearly $7,000 after being instructed to buy iTunes gift cards to cover taxes on a supposed $500,000 prize. The persistence of this scam, even after DeGeneres’ show ended, demonstrates its adaptability and the enduring appeal of using her name to lure victims.

Tactics Used by Scammers to Deceive Victims

Scammers employ a range of tactics to make the Ellen DeGeneres Prize Scam (Sweepstakes Scam)appear legitimate. They often use official-looking branding, such as logos from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, or include genuine video clips of DeGeneres discussing charity drives, as noted by Malwarebytes Labs in 2019, to add credibility. Fake Facebook pages may mimic the real ellen.tv page, but telltale signs like misspellings (e.g., “Ellen DeGagares”) or the absence of a verified blue check mark reveal their fraudulent nature. Some accounts even operate from unexpected locations, such as Zambia, as Snopes reported in 2021, highlighting the global nature of these operations.

Another tactic involves creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency. Messages often claim that only a limited number of winners (e.g., 100 or 150) will be chosen, and victims must act quickly to secure their prize. This pressure tactic, combined with the promise of life-changing rewards, overrides skepticism, especially for those unfamiliar with scam red flags. Additionally, scammers exploit the trust associated with DeGeneres’ name, knowing her history of giveaways makes the offer seem plausible. They may also use fake testimonials or comments, as seen in 2021 Snopes reports, where users were tagged with “YOU WIN” messages to draw them into the scam.

The Impact on Victims and Society

The impact of the Ellen DeGeneres prize scam on victims can be devastating, both financially and emotionally. Victims like Teresa Stage, who lost $7,000, often face embarrassment and shame, as Stage admitted in her 2018 interview with KY3, noting she kept the scam a secret from her husband to surprise him with the winnings. Beyond financial loss, victims risk identity theft if they share personal information, leading to spam, robocalls, and further scams, as detailed by a victim in a 2019 That’s Fake report who received relentless spam after falling for a similar scheme. The psychological toll includes eroded trust in online interactions, with some victims becoming overly cynical, as satirized in a 2019 Clickhole article, where people ignored a supposed legitimate giveaway due to scam fears.

On a societal level, the Prize Scam (Sweepstakes Scam) erodes trust in legitimate giveaways and celebrity interactions, making it harder for genuine initiatives to gain traction. It also highlights the challenges social media platforms face in curbing fraud, as Snopes noted in 2022 that Facebook allowed the scam to run for weeks despite its billions in revenue. The normalization of such scams can desensitize the public, making it harder to raise awareness about the dangers of online fraud.

How to Avoid the Ellen DeGeneres Prize Scam

Avoiding the Ellen DeGeneres prize scam requires vigilance and skepticism. Be wary of any offer that seems too good to be true, especially those promising large prizes for minimal effort. Never click on links or provide personal information in unsolicited messages, as these can lead to phishing or malware. Instead, verify the message by going directly to the source, such as the official ellen.tv Facebook page, which is verified with a blue check mark. If a message demands payment, particularly via gift cards, it’s a scam, as legitimate giveaways never require winners to pay fees.

Additionally, educate yourself and others about common scam tactics. If you encounter a suspicious post, report it to the platform and warn others, as the ITRC suggests commenting on fake posts to alert others can help, though it risks linking your account to the scam. If you suspect you’ve been targeted or fallen victim, contact the ITRC at 888.400.5530 or via live chat on their website for support. By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from this persistent and evolving scam. Also visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how to report it to law enfrcement.