Show HN: IsItElon – Protect Your Loved Ones from Scammers on X (regulaite.com)
I built this simple webpage to help prevent my aging mother from falling victim to scammers on X (formerly Twitter). She believed she was talking to Elon Musk, and despite numerous attempts to explain the situation, she wouldn't listen. Scammers posing as Elon convinced her that they were her boyfriend, and even tried to get her to send Bitcoin or buy gift cards.
This tool allows users to check if an X account really belongs to Elon Musk. It only recognizes the official @elonmusk handle, helping dispel any misconceptions about imposters using different accounts.
This little verifier finally convinced my mother. It might help protect your loved ones too—especially those who might not be as familiar with online scams. Feel free to use it if someone you care about is vulnerable to these kinds of tactics.
6 comments
[ 4.1 ms ] story [ 18.7 ms ] threadReminds me of the calls I get from my 89 year old grandma every once in a while, you might be on to something with this.
'Is it my bank'
And you plug in the email address that comes from the scam email.....
But then it also worries me that someone would disregard the personal advice from their own (presumably) technically knowledgeable adult child, but then just as easily trust some random website about whether something is a scam.
What stops the scammers from setting up "Is it REALLY Elon?".
When I read stories like this I'm doubly thankful my aging parents have zero interest in social media. They do email, and FaceTime with family, and that's about it.
Maybe social media needs a maximum age as well as a minimum age.