Liz Worth ~ Tarot + Astrology

If you’re active on social media, chances are good that you’ve noticed there are a lot of fake accounts popping up that imitate tarot readers, astrologers, and others in the esoteric community.

In recent months, I’ve been alerted to new imposter accounts at least once a week that are using my images and content to pose as me.

At first glance, these accounts can be quite convincing. They choose handles that are similar to mine, except they might add a dash or dot between my first and last name. They will have my photos and captions, so they look and sound like me.

And they will start to follow and contact accounts who follow me. As they do so, they send private messages offering readings for a fee that can be sent online.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard from people who have paid the fee. One of them contacted me a few months ago saying, “I’ve been buying readings from you for the last few months, but I realized recently that I’m probably not...

A few weeks ago I had a copycat on Instagram.

Someone had started an account under my name, stole my profile picture, and lifted several of my photographs and posts, copying my content word for word.

Then they started following people who already followed me, ensuring they were targeting individuals who were already familiar with me and who might be used to seeing me on Instagram.

I had no idea this was going on until someone tipped me off that they had been followed by an account that looked just like mine. When I went to search for it, I found out this imposter had prematurely blocked me – a further sign that they knew full well what they were doing was wrong.

As much as copying and copyright theft can be an issue, what really bothered me about this was that this person was contacting people online – people who, once again, already follow me and might be familiar with my work – trying to sell them readings.

I’m not the only one this has happened to:...