SANDRA Bullock didn’t pop up on Instagram for a cute publicity lap — she says she joined because scammers were using her identity to trick fans out of money.

The Oscar winner has spoken about it on the “SmartLess” podcast, explaining she felt pushed onto social media as a way to fight back against people “using my name and likeness” to defraud others.

Bullock officially joined Instagram in April and has since built a massive audience, with around 6 million followers.

Her arrival online also sparked chatter that she’d finally caved to modern celebrity life to help promote “Practical Magic 2”. But Bullock’s point was more blunt: the account isn’t about chasing likes — it’s about stopping people pretending to be her.

The situation underlines a grim reality for A-listers and their fans alike: if someone’s face and name can be weaponised for a scam, being absent from social media doesn’t necessarily keep you out of the mess. In Bullock’s case, she’s made the jump specifically to protect people from being targeted in her name.