Verified Scammers Exploit X Complaints
TECH DIGEST- Twitter users are falling victim to phishing attacks due to a recent change in the social media platform’s account verification process. Scammers are targeting consumers, particularly bank customers and airline passengers, who complain about poor customer service on Twitter, now known as X. These fraudsters pose as customer service agents using fake X handles and manipulate victims into revealing their bank details under the pretense of offering refunds.
What makes these scams more convincing is the use of the blue checkmark icon, previously a symbol of verified accounts, which can now be obtained by paying a monthly fee for X’s subscription service. This change has raised concerns about the authenticity of accounts on the platform.
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The modified verification system on X has opened the door for cybercriminals to exploit users seeking prompt solutions by publicly complaining to companies on the platform. The scams often involve responding to such complaints, gaining victims’ trust through the display of the blue checkmark icon. Instances have emerged where victims, after being approached by seemingly legitimate accounts, were asked to share personal information via direct messages and even download suspicious apps. Although efforts have been made by some companies like Booking.com to refund affected users and caution customers about verifying accounts, the risks persist, prompting warnings to stay vigilant.
Bank customers, in particular, have been urged to exercise caution as these scammers are actively monitoring Twitter for opportunities to extract personal information. The issue has extended to financial institutions like Metro Bank, whose customers received fraudulent texts from fake customer service agents after responding to the bank’s call for online feedback. Amid these rising concerns, consumer law experts emphasize the importance of verifying the authenticity of accounts, especially when interacting with companies on social media. The changes on Twitter, now X, have inadvertently complicated the process of distinguishing between legitimate and malicious accounts. Calls are should be made to the government to swiftly pass online safety legislation to protect consumers against the surge of online fraud infiltrating major social media platforms like Twitter.
