19 Reply by Lindy Lu (edited by Lindy Lu 2016-12-30 21:08:54)

  • From: Los Angeles, CA
  • Registered: 2010-12-27
  • Posts: 63

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

I recently had one of these jerks direct message me on Twitter~saying he was Joe. He had the same Profile pic and cover page, but had one number added at the end of his account. I knew right away it wasn't Joe because he asked if I had ever seen him in concert!!  LOL REALLY!!   Anyway, I reported it right away and that account was gone in less than 24 hours.  It is imperative that these creeps are reported immediately!!

Keep looking at the bright side~~ Lindy
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-05-13
  • Posts: 2,790

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Another one on twitter just showed up https://twitter.com/jbonamassa02

  • JBWM
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-10-16
  • Posts: 44

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

nmagcorn wrote:

Another one on twitter just showed up https://twitter.com/jbonamassa02

Yep, and we did our daily sweep yesterday. They make a few new ones of these EVERY... DAMN... DAY

ugh, just have to write it in to our daily schedule. Wake up, pour coffee, fight the scammers. Repeat.

  • JBWM
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-10-16
  • Posts: 44

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is having a helluva time with this scam right now: https://www.facebook.com/steventyler/po … 3803513691

23 Reply by Jane H. (edited by Jane H. 2017-08-23 15:30:47)

  • Jane H.
  • Jane H.
  • Ms. BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland/USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 13,394

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Thanks JBWM
One of my best friends got really excited last week when she thought Joe was contacting her on Facebook. - she had recently shared some songs of his or something...getting excited for the Philly show in November.......fake Joe contacted her as 'one of his best fans' or something and he had not so nice things to say about his office staff IIRC! She told me they said something like needed help with something....didn't want #$%^(*^% in office to know about it...idk...and i think they did want money i forget what she said exactly. luckily she has a bit of sense and thought twice but its easy to get sucked in....what is wrong with people!!!???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUqYFf … mp;index=7
  • Jane H.
  • Jane H.
  • Ms. BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland/USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 13,394

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

its a never ending thing I guess but seems like its been happening more lately.
Joe posted on his instagram that someone is showing people a fake passport to try to convince people they are him sad    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzodOvAp9vR/
"This is so &*%$#( up that I can’t even begin to process it. Apparently someone(s) is/ are impersonating me online and direct messaging people and using this as proof. I sincerely apologize to anyone who has been messaged. IT IS NOT ME and I call on Instagram/Facebook or whomever is responsible for maintaining these social media sites to police the people responsible for these type of violations. It’s been happening for awhile (at least to me) but this is at another level. PS ... This photo is from a Classic Rock magazine cover."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUqYFf … mp;index=7
  • reo l
  • reo l
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2016-12-08
  • Posts: 1,617

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

So sad and disturbing. Also is upsetting that some fans do fall for this scams, although it is very easy to spot a fake right away. ( I once had a few fake joebonamassas trailing in my followers - wanted to collect them all lol)               
Hope Joe has this taking care of, but I think it is a permanent internet problem now and it is getting more and more common and happening to many people.
On the other side when Real Joe does reply or like your comments ( and I know it happens to few people from this forum smile - how one not doubt it now lol. I did ask Joe during a Meet&Greet who is running his Instagram page. “Just me, all by myself “ - he said. But it was last year so maybe he has somebody helping him now, since he gained so many followers and couple of days ago wrote in comments that he gets a 1000s of private messages a day.

  • Jane H.
  • Jane H.
  • Ms. BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland/USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 13,394

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

I am fairly certain that even though he may have help with it now, I don't think anyone in his office would or is supposed to send messages as if it were him. I dunno but it was a thing a while back with facebook because there was much confusion over who was posting what on his facebook page. So I would imagine if anyone was sending messages it would have said who was sending. But I think he meant...if you don't know him, he ain't writing you! i don't know how instagram messages work anyway because i only log in from PC and its not an option. blahblah  Certainly though Joe isn' asking fans for money etc.
Is a shame all around, what a crazy world thats so hard to keep up with but makes the music all that more important....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUqYFf … mp;index=7
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,648

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Wow that’s awful.....trolls are everywhere

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • reo l
  • reo l
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2016-12-08
  • Posts: 1,617

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Jane H. wrote:

I am fairly certain that even though he may have help with it now, I don't think anyone in his office would or is supposed to send messages as if it were him. So I would imagine if anyone was sending messages it would have said who was sending. But I think he meant...if you don't know him, he ain't writing you!  Certainly though Joe isn' asking fans for money etc.
..

   wow! so scary that it is possible to misread my comment the way you wrote here sad  I never said that Joe or someone from his office are asking fans for money..... or impersonating him and sending fake messages. Nowhere in my comment it says that sad  What I meant is an attempt to make a joke about this sad situation and say that nowadays there are so many fake things floating around social media, that one might question a real legit thing - hence doubt that it is really Joe who replies to fan's comments on his IG page - which is again, I repeat, was a joke because anybody could easily distinguish replies and comments from fake profiles...

Wow Jane... Just wow...

29 Reply by Jane H. (edited by Jane H. 2019-07-08 17:34:31)

  • Jane H.
  • Jane H.
  • Ms. BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland/USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 13,394

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Wow reo-l....i don't know how you got to here from there....i was just further commenting?
i don't do so well at being clear....i was just trying to say that in the past there was question about who was posting on Joe's facebook, whether it was him or someone in the office..it got confusing for fans even though it was just general news and such usually.....but with instagram its always been Joe posting for Joe.
and idk but I think it still is. if anyone is assisting i would think its more in deleting etc than to send messages or comment as him.
i do imagine Joe has sent an instagram message or two but he - i think - idk - was trying to say he isn't messaging random fans and he isn't asking for money. The scammers are writing to fans asking for money etc. Its happening to more than just Joe. thats what this scam thing is about,
I'm not sure what you thought I meant but it didn't have to do with your post but your post made me think of more to say, based on what Joe said. Sorry if wasn't clear...that's how I roll...wow back to you big_smile
i try my best not to misread but have often been misread here so I know how that feels but i wasn't saying what you thought I was sorry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUqYFf … mp;index=7

30 Reply by reo l (edited by reo l 2019-07-08 19:05:51)

  • reo l
  • reo l
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2016-12-08
  • Posts: 1,617

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

It's all good Jane. I guess I have to blame my poor writing/understanding skills and not your replies. I am actually laughing now, laughing at myself. And laughing at how we are wowing at each other in this empty place lol ( whoever had anything to say about subject said it at Joe"s sm sites, almost nobody comes here anymore ) The good ole days of forum's fights and discussions are gone, gone, gone... smile and look at IG page - 1265 comments plus 800 on Twitter. It's if anyone still wanders why Joe is not here anymore lol...


And also few thoughts of mine about Joe's post   
  yes, I also do believe that his IG page is him and him only, and he is very efficient in banning rude, fake or aggressive users, although it is probably becoming harder and very time consuming. I do think that he will hit a million followers this year smile
  also our Joe is not a Regular Joe anymore and has enough money/legal power to protect himself from all kinds of internet disturbances so I think this situation caused little or any damage to him.
  and it is so good and kind of Joe that he is thinking about and protecting his fans

  PS: love you Jane, my favorite Bonafriend <hugs>

  • Jane H.
  • Jane H.
  • Ms. BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland/USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 13,394

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Cool and thanks ♥
I'm not saying you meant otherwise but no lawyer or money can save any of us from emotional damage....it is good and kind of Joe to care about us fans but he still takes the emotional hit as it obviously upsets him. But its been more good than bad it seems. I remember before instagram I was worried about him getting a twitter etc just because of the celebrity impersonations there back a while. Such a shame but awareness helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUqYFf … mp;index=7
  • reo l
  • reo l
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2016-12-08
  • Posts: 1,617

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

lol Jane, I should probably refrain from commenting on this thread any further...

  • From: Moved to Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-07-13
  • Posts: 1,903

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

My all-time favorite quote: 

"I know you believe you understand what you think I said but I am
not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."

Yes, it's all good!

"To repeat a good thing is to sit still; to take a chance is to grow." - Joe Bonamassa
I need some Joe...NOW.
Joe = Joy
  • JBWM
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-10-16
  • Posts: 44

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

reo l wrote:

So sad and disturbing. Also is upsetting that some fans do fall for this scams, although it is very easy to spot a fake right away. ( I once had a few fake joebonamassas trailing in my followers - wanted to collect them all lol)               
Hope Joe has this taking care of, but I think it is a permanent internet problem now and it is getting more and more common and happening to many people.
On the other side when Real Joe does reply or like your comments ( and I know it happens to few people from this forum smile - how one not doubt it now lol. I did ask Joe during a Meet&Greet who is running his Instagram page. “Just me, all by myself “ - he said. But it was last year so maybe he has somebody helping him now, since he gained so many followers and couple of days ago wrote in comments that he gets a 1000s of private messages a day.

JBWM here, in other words, Joe's Social Guy, and I can tell you that Joe's Instagram is 100% him. We don't post anything on it, ever. In fact, that's why we made other accounts to support the brand like https://www.instagram.com/shop.jbonamassa/

  • JBWM
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-10-16
  • Posts: 44

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

Jane H. wrote:

I am fairly certain that even though he may have help with it now, I don't think anyone in his office would or is supposed to send messages as if it were him. I dunno but it was a thing a while back with facebook because there was much confusion over who was posting what on his facebook page. So I would imagine if anyone was sending messages it would have said who was sending. But I think he meant...if you don't know him, he ain't writing you! i don't know how instagram messages work anyway because i only log in from PC and its not an option. blahblah  Certainly though Joe isn' asking fans for money etc.
Is a shame all around, what a crazy world thats so hard to keep up with but makes the music all that more important....

Nobody at J&R would EVER EVER message anyone pretending to be Joe. If I ever reply to a comment or a message I'll always sign it as -JBWM or Joe's Digital Marketing Director or something similar.

  • JBWM
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-10-16
  • Posts: 44

Re: Facebook Con-Artists pretending to be Joe Bonamassa

So I think it's fair to explain a bit more about what we're doing over at Joe HQ to *try* to fight this. For the last few years we have been paying a company that specializes in helping businesses like ours identify fake social profiles as soon as they're created to then review them and request that Facebook/Insta/Twitter take them down. But as you can imagine, kill one account and 5 more appear in it's place. It's literally dozens of accounts each day.

Read the comments in Joe's Instagram post about this and you'll see that it's not just Joe. It's everyone from other artists to sports stars to politicians. I talked to a fan that said she got a message last week from Gregg Allman... and he died in 2017.

Facebook has told us on many occasions that they have no idea how to stop the problem. Same from Twitter.

For anyone who would say "Go after those scammers" - yea, that's impossible as well. Most are from Ghana and Nigeria in Africa which do not consider these crimes. The first thing that the scammers do after using a fake social account is to say "Hey, text me on my personal cell phone" and give an untraceable internet phone number with a US area code. They do this because they know they only have a few hours to hunt for prey before we kill their accounts.

Google "Bonamassa Scam" and click on the first link: https://content.jbonamassa.com/Facebook-Scams.html that page explains a lot and has a great bit from SNL "A woman in Chicago was scammed out of more than $11k by a Bruce Springsteen impersonator she met online. Now these scams can be tricky so one way to tell that he's not the real Bruce Springsteen is that he asks to borrow $11k"