The blue tick badges on Twitter and Instagram are a sign of authenticity, which can be used to distinguish fake accounts from real ones. It is a sign of credibility that tells the world that you're the real deal. Users can spot a verified account by looking for the blue checkmark next to their username. The process of verifying an account requires some paperwork and users will need to submit their phone number, email address and date of birth to Twitter or Instagram. The details are then cross-checked with public records before the account becomes verified.
Who gets a blue tick on Twitter and Instagram?
For social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, verification badges are considered a status symbol of sorts - they're typically reserved for public figures or people who have been in a position of authority.
Instagram verification is pretty darn strict. In order to obtain the blue badge, you need to meet a specific series of requirements—so if Instagram contacts you, informing you you’re eligible for verification, you’d probably jump at the chance. Well, don’t: It’s a scam.
It seems there are bad actors among us praying on people’s desires to be verified on Instagram. As reported by BleepingComputer, threat analysts at Vade discovered a scheme to trick people into thinking they were eligible for Instagram’s blue badge. The scam started on July 22, and they’ve been busy sending out phony messages. On July 8 and Aug. 9, in particular, scammers messaged more than a thousand accounts.
The campaign starts like this: You receive an email purporting to be from “ig-badges,” informing you Instagram has decided your particular account is worthy of a blue badge. All you have to do is click the link in the email, fill out the form, and verification is within your grasp. To add urgency to the situation, the email states you must respond within 48 hours, or the form will be deleted.
If you click on the link in the email, you’ll be taken to the form, which tries its best to appear like a legitimate verification site, complete with logos for all of Meta’s various apps. I have to point out, though, they refer to the company as “Facebook,” which does damage the credibility. Guys, small mistakes like this really poke holes in your scheme. You have to pay more attention to the details if you want to be taken seriously as scammers.