I thought I had seen it all in the social space, but apparently there is always more and we should not be surprised because anything is possible.
It is more than 3 days now that specific accounts that I know the persons behind them, are compromised on X - a number of users have reported them, the account owners are trying to get their accounts back and I am left wondering..
WHY, WHY ... Does X not lock the accounts so that they do not send dms until the situation is settled?
What kind of safety system is this?
I understand that most of the time, when an account gets compromised, usually the user has clicked a link (or similar) - but when this is brought to the attention of X (OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA) - should they not have blocked the account in question?
When my LinkedIn account was compromised, a few months back - I had contacted LinkedIn - verified my identity and then the other person was locked out immediately. It took a while till I got back my account, but until I did, my followers were safe.
This morning I noticed that one of my friends' account was still hacked
He has so much audacity! My friend has made a second account (had it for his other project) and the hacker responds to him and says 'YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT' (meaning, getting back your account)
Needless to mention that my friend's compromised account has a real first&last name, and a PHOTO of him too. Still, the hacker is able to use it to send messages, trying to make more money out of his scams.
(created via Bing)
Below, I will post what I ve written as an article on X - hopefully it will serve as a reminder to us all (me included), that we should always stay vigilant out there.
Today's update .. another person's account (this time on LinkedIn - hacked because they clicked on a link that looked like a conference link, as they were invited for an interview... and they stole $ from them) - also I saw another LinkedIn user who received this message
I know it is a scam, and I would never click on the link - but lest see what Gemini AI told me when I asked it
Gemini said
I'll be blunt: This has all the hallmarks of a classic job scam.
While I know it’s exciting to get a positive response to an application, there are several major "red flags" in this image that suggest it's a phishing attempt or a fraudulent offer rather than a real job.
Why you should be cautious:
Extreme Vagueness: The message doesn't mention the company name, the specific job title, or any details about the "digital campaigns." Real recruiters want you to know who they are.
Generic Language: "I have just reviewed your application" is a standard template. If you didn't actually apply for a "Product Advertising" role recently, this is a huge warning sign.
? The Google Forms Link: Legitimate companies almost always use professional HR portals (like Workday, Greenhouse, or Lever) or their own company domain for data collection. Using a public Google Form to collect "details" is a common way for scammers to harvest personal information like your ID, address, or bank details.
Salary Hook: Leading with a flat monthly salary ($1000) without discussing hours, qualifications, or specific tasks is a tactic used to entice people into clicking quickly.
I am posting here below the article as I wrote it on X - I used AI + my input to compose it so that it becomes easy to read and hopefully to reach more people and remain in our consciousness
Link: https://x.com/katerinaramm1/status/2034650044029116554
The Most Dangerous Scam? It Looks Like Someone You Trust.
We grew up learning not to trust strangers on the street, and never accept candies from anyone. Then we learnt not to trust strangers online.
Now?
The problem is even worse.
You might be talking to someone you know… and still be talking to a scammer.
Welcome to 2026.
I wrote this after real incidents with hacked accounts, for anyone who uses social media, details below or TL;DR at the end.
🎭 The New Reality of Online Scams
It’s no longer just fake profiles with broken English and zero followers.
Today’s scammers can:
- Hack real accounts
- Clone profiles perfectly
- Use AI to imitate voices
- Act like someone you actually know
So when you see:
- A familiar name
- A real profile picture
- Even a voice message
👉 That is NOT proof it’s really them.
⚠️ The #1 Rule (Easy to Remember)
If you can’t verify them live, don’t trust them.
That’s it. No exceptions.
Not:
- “But I know them”
- “But it’s their account”
- “But they sent a voice message”
If you don’t verify them in real-time, assume risk.
🔍 What You Should Pay Attention To
Scammers don’t always make obvious mistakes. Sometimes it’s subtle.
Watch for:
- Slightly “off” tone or writing style
- Unusual urgency (“do this NOW”)
- If someone always uses correct punctuation and makes no typos, it could be a sign that they use AI for translation and make an effort to write correctly.
- Requests that don’t match the person’s personality
- Strange links or “opportunities”
- Offers for jobs/investment opportunities
- Requests for codes, passwords, interviews or money
Even small things matter.
👉 If something feels off, it probably is.
🧠 Do This Before You React
If you feel even a bit suspicious:
- Search parts of their message online
- Check if others reported similar behavior
- Look for scam patterns (they repeat a lot)
A quick search can save you time, money, accounts, and stress.
🚫 The Golden “DO NOT” List
No matter who you think you’re talking to:
DO NOT:
- Click random links
- Enter codes they send you
- Share passwords or private info
- Approve unknown requests
- Send money or crypto
👉 Real people won’t pressure you like that. Scammers will.
📞 The Only Safe Move When It Matters
If it’s important:
Verify them through another channel.
- Call them directly
- Message them on a different platform
- Ask something only they would know
And do it carefully, not through the same compromised account.
🧩 Final Thought
The biggest mistake today isn’t trusting strangers.
It’s trusting familiar names without verification.
Because in 2026… 👉 Social Identity ≠ authenticity
Stay vigilant.
🚨 What To Do When Something Feels Wrong
The moment you feel something is off - ACT immediately.
Not later. Not after “one more message.”
Immediately.
Here’s what you do:
🚫 1. Block & Report
Make sure you have activated 2FA and all security measures in your accounts.
(Remember to keep screenshots for evidence)
Don’t engage. Don’t argue. Don’t try to “figure them out.”
👉 Just block and report the account on the platform.
🤐 2. Don’t Reveal You Know
This is important.
Do NOT let them know you’re onto them.
Why?
Because:
- They may escalate
- They may target you differently
- They may delete evidence
Silence is smarter than confrontation.
📢 3. Warn Others
Think beyond yourself.
If this is:
- A hacked account
- A known person
- A community member
👉 Notify people who might be at risk.
A quick message can protect someone else from losing money or access.
In today’s digital world… It looks real, until it isn’t.
Why Am I Writing This?
Because this isn’t theory.
It’s happening right now.
Just 3 days ago, people I personally know had their accounts on X hacked.
They did everything right:
- They warned everyone immediately
- They reported the accounts
- They started procedures to at least limit the damage
And yet…
👉 3 days later, the accounts are still compromised.
👉 The hackers are still sending messages.
👉 More people are being targeted every single day.
This is the reality.
Even when you act fast…
Even when you do everything correctly…
The damage doesn’t stop instantly.
And that’s exactly why YOU need to be careful.
For you, but for others too.
⚠️ Final Reminder
Trust less. Verify more.
Because the next message you receive…might not be from who you think.
⚡ TL;DR
You’re no longer just at risk from strangers online.
👉 You might be talking to someone you know, but in reality you may be talking to a scammer.
Accounts get hacked, identities get cloned, and even voices can be faked.
Rule #1:
👉 If you can’t verify them live, don’t trust them.
Watch for:
- Urgency, weird requests, “off” behavior
Links, codes, opportunities, money requests
DO NOT:
- Click links
- Share info or codes
- Send money
If something feels wrong:
- Block & report
- Stay cool
- Warn others
📞 When it matters: verify them elsewhere.
Reality: Even real accounts of people I know are still hacked and scamming others days later.
👉 Familiar ≠ safe
Trust less. Verify more.
Because the next message you get… might not be from who you think.
Thank you for reading this long post, stay safe friends