A blue tick isn’t identity
Paid verification on Twitter led straight to fake brand accounts. Check who you’re dealing with another way.
Last week anyone could buy Twitter’s blue check for eight dollars, and within days “verified” accounts were impersonating brands. One fake Eli Lilly account announced free insulin; the real company’s stock dipped and it had to apologise for a tweet it never wrote. Twitter paused the scheme.
The lesson goes beyond Twitter: a badge only means what the platform checks before giving it. If it can be bought, it says you paid.
For individuals:
- Don’t trust a badge for customer support, investment tips or giveaways. Go to the company’s website and follow its official links.
- Never move to DMs to “fix your account” or “claim a refund”.
For companies:
- List your official accounts on your website, so people can check.
- Watch for impersonation of your brand and executives, and report it fast.
- Tell customers how you’ll contact them, and how you never will.