Hackers hit Apple’s Twitter account in widespread bitcoin scam

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Apple's Twitter account and other high-profile accounts hacked in massive Bitcoin scam.
Apple’s very first Tweet ever isn’t about Bitcoin. Twitter got hacked.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple is one of many companies and people who had their Twitter accounts hijacked on Wednesday. A hacker found a way to post on what seems to be any account, indicating that it’s Twitter itself that has been hacked.

All the posts pointed readers toward a bitcoin scam.

Apple is not giving out free Bitcoins

Apple doesn’t use the @apple Twitter account, and has never made a post. But it’s definitely owned by the company.

And it was definitely included in this widespread scam. Before it was erased, a fake post Wednesday on @apple from these hackers said, “We are giving back to our community. We support Bitcoin and we believe you should too! All Bitcoin is sent to our address below will be sent back to you doubled!”

Very much the same wording was used on many, many more Twitter accounts. Other victims include Vice President Joe Biden, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Kanye West and many more.

Twitter responds

Apparently to prevent further malicious posts, Twitter has blocked many accounts from posting. Unconfirmed reports indicate this covers every verified account on this social-networking service.

Twitter likely took this step because, on some accounts, new bitcoin scam posts were allegedly being made as fast as old ones could be deleted.

This story will be updated with additional information.

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