NewsBite

Channel 10’s Candice Wyatt has pleaded for help after being targeted by fake social account

Channel 10 reporter Candice Wyatt has pleaded for help after being targeted in a social media scam that’s stolen her identity.

Candice Wyatt has pleaded for help after being targeted by fake social account

High profile TV reporter Candice Wyatt says a Twitter account is using her Instagram pictures to direct message unwitting people for private sex chats.

Wyatt, a star journo at Channel 10 in Melbourne, has pleaded for help over the social media scam.

She wrote on Instagram Stories: “HELP! Hey guys — if you have a Twitter account can you please go and report this person?

“They’re taking my Insta pics and using them on Twitter to DM people for private sex chats. “Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery … but this is not OK,” Wyatt added.

“And, yes, I’ve reported them too.”

Asked for comment about her social media post, Wyatt told the Herald Sun: “In a world where data breaches and identity theft are rife, I won’t stand for fake social media accounts which aim to scam innocent people out of money, using my image.

“I encourage everyone to report fake accounts and help make social media a safe place”.

Wyatt made headlines last year after a man spat on, verbally harassed and abused her, and her network camera crew between a live cross near the Yarra River.

Candice Wyatt’s images are being used on a fake account.
Candice Wyatt’s images are being used on a fake account.
A screengrab from Wyatt of the bogus account.
A screengrab from Wyatt of the bogus account.

The verbal abuse and spitting was filmed by the 10 team, was witnessed by several passers-by, and Wyatt called police.

“What I was put through and what my crew was put through is completely unacceptable,” Wyatt said. “When we are out reporting and delivering information to the public we are in our workplace … and we have a right to feel safe. We don’t come into their workplace and randomly start abusing people and spitting on them.”

A man appeared in a Melbourne court over the attack earlier this year. He was jailed for 53 days.

Wyatt said 10 had increased security for its news crews following her experience. “We now have to do a risk assessment every time we decide to do a live cross,” she said. “Hopefully it is something that is not here to stay, but it is the world we live in at the moment.”

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/channel-10s-candice-wyatt-has-pleaded-for-help-after-being-targeted-by-fake-social-account/news-story/b86b8f72163f417ade9f1ff5c0033809