Scammers hit Twitter, Facebook
Facebook and Twitter users are complaining about their accounts being compromised and then being used to spam friends with suspicious "free iPad offers"
The messages continued, even after he'd changed his password
Twitter warned users of the scam, saying that it was resetting passwords of affected users.
"If you've received a message promising you a new iPad, not only is there no iPad, but also your friends have been hacked," Twitter said.
The scam is also hitting Facebook users to, according to company spokesman Simon Axten. "It's affecting an extremely small percentage of people on Facebook, but we take all threats seriously," he said via e-mail.
Gerome Stevens discovered that his Twitter account had been used to direct message contacts late Wednesday.
He's not sure how the scammers got into his account, but they sent direct messages to his friends, that said, "u have to check out this website its glitchin right now and sending out ipads to everyone for free!"
He said the messages continued, even after he'd changed his password.
The messages his friends received contained a link to better-gifts.net. That Website asks for personal information, and then directs the user to a variety of promotional offers from legitimate companies such as Netfilx, the Doubleday Book Club, and Columbia House DVD.
Online marketing programmes pay cash for Web traffic, and hackers have found that by phishing victims and then using that information to break into legitimate Twitter and Facebook accounts, they can earn money.
This type of spam is particularly effective, because the messages appear to come from a trusted source.
Deekay
Facebookers n Twitters need to be careful when online, who they invites and who they chat to. I mean what are u talkin about with a stranger? Facebook n Twitter ca be freaking dangerous if you're not careful. Happy chatting!Report Abuse
CheeseBoy
Common rules of internet safety precaution include,Not divulging personal information. I have seen peoples ID Numbers, cell phone numbers and physical addresses on face book. This is downright stupidity. You might as well sleep with all your door and windows open.
Don't click on suspicious links in messages coming from people you don't know. Especially messages appearing to come from Banks. Just the act of opening the fake Banking Web Site is enough to install a Trojan (virus)
Browsing the internet is pretty much like taking a walk in Joburg CBD. Be very careful and don't talk to strangers.
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Perachute
Yea ryt...there are scammers all around da website promising people all da good staff for a simple registaration or something...And I mean this people are genius...they can even forge e-mails(e-mail spoofing) from banks or anywherelse...and believe me><><><they are actually quite good and convincing...i ve been there many times...so please just delete that stupid get a million in 7 days message!!!!Report Abuse
DRU
@Deekay,My Friends say I'm rude & old fashioned when I don't want accept unknown ppl in facebook.U can ask again,how on earth can u chart with a stranger online,I rather be rude & old fashioned.I'm scared of Internet scammers than a tsotsi gallivanting the streets of Jozi CBD.Report Abuse
Deekay
@DRU that's the spirit Dru. Lets wait and see who's going to be rude and old-fashioned when they got scammed!Report Abuse
finky
LOL....halleluja am out of those chartrooms,use to complain everyday when someone was sending people messages, posting funky staffs on my wall and was changing the password almost everyday... but we can't run out of those scams if they want ya'll info they will get it just need to get some training on how to best use the net...so we can't hide anything just be CAREFUL..NTSHANG MAHLO DINAMENGReport Abuse
Mozkillaz
What to you guys have bank accounts on facebook or twitter, i guess the answer is no, so what u afraid off, if u get scammed here that means u dom.Report Abuse
IceQueen
someone posted somethng very nasty on my wall as me, some of my contacts told me they no longer want to be friends with me, i didn't even bother explaining that it wasn't me.Report Abuse
Palisto
Stopped doing Twitter 4 months ago, I changed my password about 5 times and eventually had enough of it and deactivated my acc.Report Abuse