Phishing scam on X targets big accounts to promote cryptocurrency

The Better Business Bureau serving Kentucky and Southern Indiana is warning consumers about a phishing scam targeting X (formerly Twitter) users.

The scam locks users out of their accounts, which are then used to promote cryptocurrency and other products, according to a community announcement.

The scam typically targets accounts with large followings. Several high-profile local figures, including journalists and government officials, have been targeted.

Kentucky horse racing writer Jennie Rees recently had her X account hacked.

“I got a DM on X seemingly from a long-time sports journalism colleague asking if I would vote for him in an online contest to co-host a ‘huge podcast event with Spotify and Google,’” Rees said. “My colleague is in the podcast world, so sure, I wanted to help him out — and clicked on the purported link to vote. And I was infected.”