🚨 Scam Alert: "Verify your Fedi account" Phishing Attempt 🚧
Attention everyone on Mastodon! There's a scam making the rounds where malicious actors impersonate moderators or admins. They send private messages or make posts that mimic notifications, claiming that your account needs verification. These messages often include a link for you to "complete the verification process."
⚠️ This is a Scam!
Your server admin will never ask you to click a link to verify your account.
No other admin from any other server will either, even if they appear to be part of the main Mastodon team.
If your account is suspended, you won't receive a message about it. Instead, you'll see a notification upon logging in that your account is temporarily suspended.
How to Identify the Scam:
Fake admin accounts often use names containing "moderator" or "admin," but this doesn't mean they are legitimate.
Legitimate admins or instance owners usually have a badge or marking on their profile indicating their role.
What to Do:
If you receive a message or post urging you to click a link to verify your account, report it immediately.
If you have any doubts about your account status, contact your server admin or moderation team directly.
To verify the authenticity of an admin or instance owner, visit the "About" page of your instance. This page typically lists contact information for the real team administering your instance.
Always be cautious when interacting with accounts claiming to be from Mastodon or your instance's admin team.
Important Reminder:
Mastodon does not perform age verification. If you receive a message or post claiming to be from Mastodon or your instance's admin team, always verify its authenticity before taking any action.
Reporting the Scam:
If you encounter this scam, report it to your instance's admin team and use relevant tags, such as #FediBlock, to help raise awareness.
Personal Note:
I'm not a cybersecurity expert, but I find this new scam in the Fediverse quite interesting. If you feel like sharing your experiences with me, I would appreciate it! I'm looking to collect cases and get a broader view of this phishing attack. Maybe I'll even try to write a report about it. Feel free to tag me in any relevant posts.
Let's stay vigilant and help each other stay safe online!
#Mastodon #Fediverse #ScamAlert #Phishing #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #FediBlock #StaySafe #TechCommunity #SocialMedia #ScamAwareness #SecurityTips #ReportScams #VerifyBeforeYouTrust
![Avatar for [☠️] Chishiki611 (moderation tool builder arc)](/proxy/identity_icon/446358894710454442/5ebf0258e4.png){kind=icon}
![The image features a warning about a potential scam on the Mastodon platform. The background is yellow with black diagonal stripes, and a large yellow triangle with an exclamation mark is prominently displayed at the top, indicating a warning. The text "SCAM ALERT" is written in bold black letters at the top of the image.
The main content is a screenshot of a social media notification from #16453 ([@]Mastodon_Moderator) to a user. The notification is:
"[⚠️ Important Notice]
Your account has been temporarily suspended for identity verification.
We’re reaching out manually to guide you through the required steps.
⚡️ Deadline: 12 hours
⚡️ Action Required: Complete the verification via the link below.
Failure to do so will result in your account remaining locked until further review.
🔗 Verification Link: https://mstd.id-83636.world/239101758
Best regards,
Mastodon Support Team"](/proxy/post_attachment/126360/971abcde58.jpg "The image features a warning about a potential scam on the Mastodon platform. The background is yellow with black diagonal stripes, and a large yellow triangle with an exclamation mark is prominently displayed at the top, indicating a warning. The text \"SCAM ALERT\" is written in bold black letters at the top of the image.
The main content is a screenshot of a social media notification from #16453 ([@]Mastodon_Moderator) to a user. The notification is:
\"[⚠️ Important Notice]
Your account has been temporarily suspended for identity verification.
We’re reaching out manually to guide you through the required steps.
⚡️ Deadline: 12 hours
⚡️ Action Required: Complete the verification via the link below.
Failure to do so will result in your account remaining locked until further review.
🔗 Verification Link: https://mstd.id-83636.world/239101758
Best regards,
Mastodon Support Team\"")
