BBB Alert: How the Locks Accounts and Pushes Fake Crypto Deals

Scammers are getting smarter every day. Now, they are hitting users on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a sneaky . The Better Business Bureau (BBB) for Kentucky and Southern Indiana has put out a strong warning. This scam locks people out of their accounts and uses them to push fake crypto investments and other products. If you have a big following on X, you could be next.

What is the All About?

The scam starts simple. Hackers send direct messages (DMs) that look real. They pretend to be friends, colleagues, or trusted contacts. The message often asks for a small favor, like voting in a contest or checking a link. Once you click, malware or a phishing page takes over.

Your account gets locked. Then, the hackers post fake stories. They might claim you made big money from crypto and bought luxury items like a new Audi. These posts trick your followers into clicking more bad links or sending crypto.

This is not random. Scammers target accounts with large followings. High-profile people like journalists, government officials, and influencers are prime targets. Why? Their posts reach thousands fast, spreading the scam like wildfire.

A Real Story: Jennie Rees Falls Victim

Take Jennie Rees, a well-known Kentucky horse racing writer. She got a DM from what seemed like a long-time colleague in sports journalism. The message said: “Vote for me in this online contest to co-host a huge podcast with Spotify and Google.”

Rees thought it was legit. Her friend is big in podcasts, so she clicked the link to vote. Boom – infected. Her X account was locked. A fake post went up saying she bought a shiny new Audi with crypto profits.

Worse, the scam DM started going to all her contacts. It kept spreading. Rees said, “I’m glad the BBB is raising awareness about this hacker fraud.” Her story shows how even smart people can get hit.

Why Crypto in These ?

Crypto is a scammer’s dream. It’s fast to move money with no banks to stop it. Blockchain tech makes transactions hard to reverse. Once you send Bitcoin or Ethereum to a scammer’s wallet, it’s gone forever.

In this scam, hacked accounts push “investment tips” or “easy crypto wins.” They link to fake exchanges or wallets that steal your private keys. The BBB notes this ties into bigger crypto fraud trends. Last year, phishing caused billions in losses worldwide.

High-follower accounts build trust. When a journalist or official posts about crypto riches, followers bite. It’s social proof gone wrong.

BBB Tips to Dodge Social Media Scams

The BBB has clear advice to stay safe. Follow these steps:

• Never click links in DMs from ‘friends.’ Verify first by calling or texting them another way.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). It adds a code from your phone to log in.
• Check URLs before clicking. Hover over links – fake ones lead to odd sites like ‘sp0tify-v0te.com’.
• Watch for too-good-to-be-true stories. Free money or luxury cars from crypto? Red flag.
• Report suspicious posts. On X, hit the three dots and select ‘Report.’
• Use antivirus software. It catches malware from bad links.
• Limit what apps access your account. Revoke old permissions in settings.

These tips work for X and other platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

What to Do If Your Account Gets Hacked

Act fast if locked out:

1. Go to X’s help center and start recovery. Use your email or phone.
2. Change passwords everywhere – same password on multiple sites? Big mistake.
3. Scan your devices for malware.
4. Tell your followers: Post from another account warning them.
5. Report to BBB, FTC, or local police if money lost.

Recovery can take days. Meanwhile, scammers milk your audience.

Bigger Picture: Phishing in the Crypto World

This is part of a wave. Crypto users lose $4 billion yearly to hacks and scams, per Chainalysis. Phishing is top method – 80% of attacks start with a bad link or email.

Blockchain is secure, but humans aren’t. Scammers exploit trust. On X, crypto talk is hot. Threads on Bitcoin pumps or NFT flips draw crowds – perfect for fakes.

Lessons for crypto fans:

• Use hardware wallets like Ledger for big holdings.
• Double-check wallet addresses – typos send funds wrong.
• Join verified communities, not random DM groups.
• Enable 2FA everywhere, prefer app-based over SMS.

Stay Ahead of Scammers

The BBB warning is a wake-up call. evolve quick. What starts as a vote link today could be a fake airdrop tomorrow.

Build habits now: Question everything, verify always. Crypto offers freedom, but scams take it away. Share this post – help your network stay safe.

Got hit by a scam? Drop a comment below. Let’s learn together.

FAQs on

Q: Who gets targeted most?
A: Big accounts – influencers, pros, officials.

Q: Can I get my account back?
A: Yes, use X recovery. Be patient.

Q: Is crypto safe?
A: Tech yes, people no. Follow best practices.

Q: How to spot fake DMs?
A: Odd grammar, urgent asks, weird links.

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