Is the Twitter Verification Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a phishing scam that impersonates X / Twitter.

What should I do if I received the Twitter Verification Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Twitter Verification Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Twitter Verification Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Twitter Verification Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Phishing Impersonates: X / Twitter

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers DM Twitter/X users offering free verification or threatening to remove their blue checkmark unless they 'confirm' their identity. The links lead to phishing pages that steal account credentials.

How This Scam Works

You receive a DM or email appearing to be from Twitter or X support, either offering you free verification or claiming your existing verified status will be removed due to a policy change. The message includes a link to 'verify' or 'confirm' your account. The phishing page asks for your Twitter username, password, and sometimes phone number. With your credentials, scammers take over your account to promote crypto scams, phishing links, or sell your account. Verified and high-follower accounts are especially targeted.

Red Flags to Watch For

DM from an account claiming to be Twitter Support
Offer of free verification through a link
Threat to remove verification unless you act
Link does not go to twitter.com or x.com
Official Twitter/X support communicates through the app, not DMs from random accounts

Example Scam Messages

DM: 'Your account has been selected for Twitter Blue verification at no cost. To complete the verification process, confirm your identity here: twitter-verify-blue.com/apply' --- DM: 'IMPORTANT: Your X Premium verification badge will be removed on Feb 15 due to incomplete account information. Update your profile to retain your badge: x-verify-account.com/confirm' --- Email: 'Congratulations! You are now eligible for a free verified badge on X. Claim yours: x-premium-free.com/claim'

What to Do If You Received This

Twitter/X verification is managed through account settings, not DMs
Do not click links in verification-related DMs
Check the sender's account; real support accounts are verified
Manage your subscription at x.com/settings/your_twitter_blue
Report and block the account

What to Do If You Fell For It

Change your Twitter/X password immediately
Enable two-factor authentication
Revoke access to suspicious third-party apps
Check for unauthorized tweets or DMs from your account
Contact X Support at help.x.com if locked out

How to Report This Scam

Report the account through X's in-app reporting
Report to X at help.x.com
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov

Last updated: February 10, 2026