In 2006 she became a victim of identity theft and mortgage fraud, after subletting her home for five months. The renters created a false Elizabeth Shepherd, who sold the home to another member of the group (using a false name), who in turn put a $250,000 mortgage on the property, took the cash, defaulted, disappeared, and left the real Elizabeth Shepherd on the hook. Shepherd went public with her story in the hopes of warning other people to be careful when renting out their homes.
She was originally cast for the role of Mrs. Peel in "The Avengers" (1961) and they even recorded some material, but those scenes were shot again with Diana Rigg.