I want to share something that almost happened to me recently, because I have a feeling I’m not the only one being targeted—and if you’re a creator, this is something you need to be aware of.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from someone claiming to be a producer for the Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show and Heal Squad with Maria Menounos. They said they had come across my work, loved what I was doing in the celiac space, and wanted to feature me on the podcast in honor of Celiac Disease Awareness Month. They also sent questions that sounded like they had researched my work thoroughly.
I’m not going to lie, it felt exciting. Flattering, even. The message was thoughtful, they included sample questions, and everything seemed aligned with my work and my mission. It didn’t feel like a mass email. Or a scam, at least at first. It felt… real. As a podcaster myself at Gluten Free Unwrapped, I often email people to invite them to be on my show.
I did what most of us would do. I looked up the names mentioned in the email, and sure enough, they were real people connected to real podcasts. It was the actual producer of The Gabrielle Lyons Show! That added to the credibility.
The Red Flag Moments
But then I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture.
When I checked out past guests on these shows, I noticed they typically featured very high-profile individuals: celebrities, well-known doctors, and major voices in the health and wellness space. And while I’m proud of the work I do, I also try to stay grounded and realistic. I found myself asking a simple question: Why me?
That question didn’t come from insecurity; it came from experience. And it made me pause.
Then came the follow-up emails to actually schedule this interview.
They asked if I could connect with their “tech person” for a quick call to walk through the setup for a Facebook Live session. He would share his screen, show me how everything worked, and make sure I was comfortable before we “went live.”
At that point, my gut said no.
Because… what does Facebook have to do with a podcast interview?
The answer is: nothing.
That’s when it clicked that something wasn’t right. I didn’t respond, even though they kept following up with me to schedule the call.
The Scam Unveiled
After doing a little digging, I learned that this scam is targeted at influencers. The goal is to get you onto a screen-sharing call through Facebook. From there, they can gain access to your account, remove you as an admin, and take over your page entirely. It’s not just annoying; it’s devastating, especially for those of us who have spent years building our platforms and communities.
I also came across another creator who shared a nearly identical experience. She had been contacted about appearing on a podcast tied to a well-known personality and had agreed to the Facebook “test run.” Thankfully, she caught on before anything serious happened, although she did accept the Facebook test call and clicked on some links that she worried may have jeopardized her page.
What happened to me is clearly not a one-off situation. It’s a targeted scam, and it’s sophisticated enough to fool many influencers and creators.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing this not to scare you, but to help you stay aware.
If you receive a podcast invitation that feels exciting but slightly off, take a closer look.
- Pay attention to the email address. In my case, it came from a Gmail account, not an official business domain. That alone is a major red flag.
- Look at who the podcast typically features and ask yourself if the outreach makes sense.
- Be cautious of anyone asking you to do a “tech check” or “test run,” especially if it involves Facebook or screen sharing.
- Be careful not to click any links. Everything is fair game to these scammers.
- And most importantly, trust your instincts. If something doesn’t quite add up, it’s okay to slow down, ask questions, or walk away entirely.
To Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Maria Menounos — if this ever somehow makes its way to you, I’d genuinely love to be on your shows one day and talk about celiac disease and the gluten-free community. Unfortunately, there are devious people out there using your names to take advantage of creators, which is frustrating for all of us.
And to my fellow creators: please be careful. Opportunities should feel exciting, but they should also make sense. When something feels too good to be true — or just slightly off — it’s always worth a second look.
If sharing this helps even one person avoid falling for a Facebook takeover scam, it’s worth it.
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