Catfish’s Nev Schulman is scared of people impersonating him online.
The 29-year-old presenter of the MTV reality show – in which he and co-star Max Joseph unmask people using fake social media profiles to build relationships – admitted he feels "vulnerable" and "scared" when he thinks about people stealing his identity on the internet.
Nev exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I know for example there was one Facebook page – because I don’t have a personal Facebook page – there was one pretending to me that had a lot of fans or followers or friends, I should say, on the page and was doing a really good job of convincing people that it was in fact me.
"It’s scary because I can’t control that and I can’t know what someone’s going to say and pretend. If they are pretending to be me how seriously will people take it? It really does put me in a vulnerable position that there is very little I can do about."
Nev even believes – in an echo of the reality show – that people believe they are building a personal relationship with him and are unaware that the profile is a fake.
He said: "It’s very possible that someone may have been out having a more direct personal correspondence with one of those friends. It wouldn’t surprise me if that was the case."
Nev insists that ‘Catfish’ – now in its third series – is doing even more to bring justice to those who have been tricked by such profiles on the internet.
He said: "The internet is still sort of lawless and part of what Max and I are doing, especially in Season 3, is holding people accountable and going after these catfish – or in some cases criminals – that think because it’s the internet that they can get away with it and do whatever they want. [We’re] picking up, in many cases, where the police have left off or simply cannot go any further, really bringing some justice."
‘Catfish: The TV Show’ airs on MTV tonight at 9pm.
Catfish’s Nev Schulman feels ‘vulnerable’ online
