#stop scamming

TUMBLR SCAMMERS ARE NOW IMPERSONATING TUMBLR

EVERYONE DO NOT TRUST THESE MESSAGES

I’ve been receiving several asks exactly like 👆 these over the course of the past few weeks. After looking into it more, I realized this is an issue other accounts (both within the Twst fandom + Tumblr and outside of it, in other fandoms and socials) have experienced.

From my understanding, this type of scam uses already hacked accounts (so they seem like “real” people thanks to previous blog activity) to phish for your private information and then steal your blog. The scam works in two ways, depending on if you have your DMs open to everyone or if you have them only open to blogs you follow.

If you have your DMs open to everyone, these scammers will use already compromised blogs to directly message you. They will claim to have accidentally reported your blog, provide a doctored screenshot as “evidence”, then advise you connect with someone on Discord who is supposedly “Tumblr staff” in order to get the “ticket resolved”.

Once you’re in the Discord DMs, the “Tumblr staff” will pressure you for your age and country of residence, then they will ask you to change your blog’s login credentials. This is so the scammer can steal your personal details + blog. (If you don’t agree, they will threaten to delete your blog for suspicious activity, which is a complete lie.) The newly compromised blogs will be used to continue scamming others + they will hold your blog for ransom money (they’ll take your money, but never actually return the blog).

Here is are examples of the DM exchanges described above. The accounts that initially reached out to them even match the people who sent me asks, though I’m sure there are plenty of other examples.

If you have your DMs limited to only blogs you follow, the scammers will send asks to your inbox (similar to the 3 examples posted above). Again, they will claim they falsely reported your blog and will invite you to contact them to see the doctored Tumblr support ticket.

This has become such a problem that Tumblr themselves has had to issue a statement:

So please, if you come across something like this, just report it directly to Tumblr Support:

1. Typos in their own name

Etaf (E'taf? Ettaf?)'s campaign is filled with typos, including their own name.

2. Organizer claims to be in a country where GFM campaigns cannot be made

In Hazem's campaign, they claim to be in Gaza with the goal to go to Egypt. You CANNOT create a GoFundMe campaign in Gaza OR Egypt. You can check the list of countries supported on GFM here.

3. Organizer's location doesn't match with the story (or omitted)

Etaf claims to be in Egypt in the story. They're in Spain. When it comes to Hazem's campaign, the location of the organizer is omitted, yet they ask for Euros.

4. Beneficiary isn't mentioned in the story

Etaf's beneficiary isn't mentioned in the story. The family members are Youssef, Moataz, Moatasem, Maria, Adam and Amira.

5. Makes multiple accounts and then deactivates them

Notice how these accounts always have "Name+numbers"

6. Uses AI generated images

The mandible (i.e. lower jawbone) isn't part of the rest of the skull, but rather affixed by cartilage, muscles and ligaments, so would not just be there attached to a dry skeleton. Look at the ribcage and how it goes all the way down to the pelvis... Also the skeleton would NOT be this clean. Notice the lack of clothes as well.

Those images are used to tug at your heartstrings.

Source of the AI image

7. Incorrect information

As seen in Elham's campaign:

Wikipedia:

❗Remember, just because they have been "vetted" by @/gazavetters, doesn't make them legit!! The vetters have fallen for fake GFM before.❗

this isn’t my usual type of post, but i would like to make people aware of this horrible scam. this is a common scam that tumblr are aware of, where an account will contact you and say that they “accidentally reported you.” they will then urge you to contact someone on discord, who will then ask you to change your account email to then hack and get into your account. this is extremely nerve wracking (at least for me), and i just want to spread awareness about it before anyone else falls victim !! <33

these are photos of the DMs (with the blog user) and the apparent “email” the reporter got sent. they copied everything word for word from other scammers, and i hope this helps everyone.

stay safe !! <3

They know once they've hacked your account getting any donations or aid should be easy since you were asking kindly for help in the first place so it goes to them instead of you. This person literally held my account hostage.

They look super harmless but they claimed to accidentally report my account.

Even sent a picture to be more convincing, but guys it's really easy to fake this don't fall for it

Luckily I already know how this scam works so I just sent them on their way and blocked them

Please if you see this post block them immediately

Here's also a post explaining what is happening I recommend you at least skim it through