Fans of Netflix's hit drama Virgin River have been put on high alert after its leading lady, Alexandra Breckenridge, revealed she's the target of a disturbing Instagram scam.
The actress, who plays Mel Monroe in the beloved series, took to her official Instagram account to warn followers about a fake profile pretending to be her. The impostor account has been attempting to deceive fans into believing they're interacting with the real Breckenridge.
How the Scam Works
The fraudulent account has been:
- Messaging fans directly
- Requesting personal information
- Potentially trying to solicit money
"Please do not engage with this account," Breckenridge urged her 1.3 million followers, making it clear this was not her official profile.
A Growing Problem for Celebrities
This incident highlights the increasing issue of celebrity impersonation scams on social media platforms. Just last month, several other high-profile actors reported similar fake accounts trying to exploit their fanbases.
Instagram has come under fire for not doing enough to prevent these scams, despite their verified badge system designed to authenticate genuine celebrity accounts.
How to Spot a Fake Account
Fans should watch for these red flags:
- No verified blue checkmark
- Fewer posts than the real account
- Suspicious direct messages
- Requests for money or personal details
Breckenridge's real account (@alexandrabreckenridge) features the blue verification badge and has over 1,300 posts.
The actress, currently filming the highly anticipated sixth season of Virgin River, thanked fans for their support and vigilance in reporting the fake profile.
