Bengaluru Woman Warns of Scam After Being Asked to Rent LinkedIn Account

A Bengaluru woman exposed a LinkedIn scam where she was offered money to rent out her account. The scheme involved handing over login credentials for temporary use. LinkedIn responded, warning users about growing cybersecurity threats. Experts advise professionals to stay vigilant and avoid sharing personal account information.

A Bengaluru woman has raised alarm about a potential online scam after a stranger approached her with an offer to rent out her LinkedIn account for money. Her post detailing the encounter has gone viral, sparking discussions about cybersecurity risks on professional networking platforms.

Nikhita Anil, a Senior Brand Marketing Manager, shared her experience on LinkedIn, calling it a "wild" and concerning trend. She explained that an unknown individual contacted her, offering a monetary reward in exchange for temporary access to her LinkedIn profile. The person claimed their "friend's company" needed accounts to expand its market.

Screenshots of the conversation revealed that the individual offered $20 per week for account access, with an additional $10 deposit. The person assured that her contacts would remain undisturbed but required login credentials. They also mentioned updating her personal details and asked her to lift any restrictions if LinkedIn flagged the account.

Following the viral post, LinkedIn responded, emphasizing its efforts to combat scams. The company stated that 99.7% of fraudulent activities are proactively blocked and encouraged users to report suspicious messages.

Cybersecurity experts warn that such scams could be used for fraudulent job postings, phishing attempts, or impersonation to build trust with other users. They advise professionals never to share account credentials and to report any suspicious activity.

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With online scams becoming more sophisticated, this incident highlights the importance of digital security awareness. Experts urge LinkedIn users to remain cautious and verify any unusual requests before engaging.