![following-people.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPYbxVvNj667KgoBJhn63MmwpPBM5kjG3jeipdAj1K2TC/following-people.jpeg)

How many of you follow people online because you believe they're an 'influencer'? You check out how many followers they have and read their promotional blurb. You think "Hmmmm, this guy/gal really does seem to know their stuff, I may learn something so I'll follow them."

Easy to do because let's face it, we're all busy and when we're online, there's so much there fighting for our attention that we need some 'short cuts' or we'd spend all our time being investigators instead of doing whatever it is we're trying to do. There is a problem though, we've all heard the term 'fake news', I'd like to suggest we need to beware of 'fake influencers' those people who pose as 'experts' but who in reality are not.

 I've come across a few, mostly they're harmless, enjoying their false fame and then getting bored. Occasionally though, you get one that causes real damage. Not because they actually have any real influence, but because their victims perceive they have influence and so are worried about their own reputation being damaged.

If you promote yourself as a 'social media expert' someone who uses social media to promote themselves and their products, or do that same thing for clients, then you need to be able to back that up. If most followers are bots, fake accounts or, just don't interact with the content, then you may have a 'fake expert' on your hands.

![fake-people-sm.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQsYi5d45J5evh4hgTstfmRsXdEwuQWNgDtVHjSUBWjjR/fake-people-sm.jpg)

There is no real reason you shouldn't follow these people, they're often unintentionally funny, making statements that are either out-of-date or, are hilariously wrong. The problem arises when they want money from you.

If that happens, then you need to 'be a detective' and do some investigating. A true expert is always professional and never uses social media to bully, threaten and slander. Google their name and see what comes up. If they're complaining that their accounts have been hacked, or that people are being unfair to them, then you should think twice about handing over cash.

Depending what they want the money for, check out forums to see what people are saying about them and, just as importantly what they say about others. A true expert will never make wild accusations, if someone truly has done something illegal, then a real expert will have the proof and already have the police involved. 

If they're offering you 'something for nothing' or something that seems too good to be real, then be extra careful. Too good to be true usually means it is too good to be true. something for nothing is often the most expensive thing you can buy.

It's a wild and sometimes wicked frontier out there on the WWW, make sure that you deal with the lawful not the lawless!