**Hackers Stole $5.3 Billion in 2025 by Impersonating Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Other Major Artists: Report**

Imagine receiving a direct message from your favorite artist, offering you an exclusive chance to buy tickets to their upcoming concert or purchase limited-edition merchandise. It's a dream come true for any fan, but what if it was all just a scam? A new report by social media security company Spikerz reveals that hackers have stolen a staggering $5.3 billion in 2025 alone by impersonating major artists on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X.

The report highlights the growing threat of AI-powered scams on social media, which are becoming increasingly difficult to spot. According to consultant Scott Cohen, who advised on the report, "Social platforms have become the most important connection point between artists and their audiences, and therefore, the most vulnerable." He argues that today's social media landscape makes these current crop of scams a little bit different.

So, just how bad were some of these ploys? According to Spikerz's report, hackers impersonated 10 major artists in particular: Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, BTS, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, BLACKPINK, Ariana Grande, and Drake. The scammers used AI to create convincing fake accounts that tricked fans into buying non-existent merchandise, tickets, or experiences.

But it's not just the fans who suffer the consequences of these ploys. There are larger, systemic issues at play here. When fans are duped by a fake account, the artist not only loses revenue but also suffers a blow to their reputation that undermines future sales and engagement. "The resulting brand damage can reduce the value of sponsorships, collaborations, and label partnerships," the report mentions.

Spikerz sells an anti-impersonation service to artists for $15,000–$35,000, claiming consistent results in reducing scams. In one case, the company used a digital filter to scrub a Grammy-winning pop-rock act's section after it was spammed with "Spanish food recipes." According to Spikerz CEO Naveh Ben Dror, "The artists who win the next decade won't just be the ones with the best music or the most viral campaigns. They'll be the ones whose teams can make sure fans can trust every link, every handle, and every announcement with the artist's name on it."

So, what can you do to protect yourself? If it seems too good to be true that you're getting exclusive offers from or chatting up your favorite musical stars, then it probably is. Don't fall for the scams – bounce pronto! And remember, if you don't have access to a service like Spikerz, at least be vigilant and skeptical when interacting with online artists.

In a world where social media has become an essential part of an artist's career, protecting their brand and fans from scammers is more crucial than ever. As Scott Cohen puts it, "If we want artists to innovate and experiment, we have to give them digital environments where they're not constantly under attack." It's time for the music industry to take a stand against these scams and ensure that fans can trust every link, handle, and announcement with an artist's name on it.