A new SMS energy scam is using Elon Musks face to steal your money

Date:
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
Bitdefender has discovered a malicious SMS campaign using X owner Elon Musk likeness.

FULL STORY ======================================================================
- Bitdefender has identified a malicious SMS campaign
- The texts promise up to 90% energy bills savings
- Elon Musk's likeness is used to try and trick victims

A malicious SMS campaign has been discovered by Bitdefender, taking advantage of Americans who want to save money on their energy bills.

The scammers sent an offer for an innovative energy saving device via an SMS,
usually including the victims real name, urging them to follow a link to
start saving hundreds on their electric bill. The fraudsters most likely had access to the victims names through previous data breaches.

Heres one example of the SMS;

Gary, your neighbors are paying 79% less for power. Why arent you? Stop overpaying- click here to start saving https://gimelove .com/eln ESaver Watt

As well as phishing and malware attacks, the link was found to lead some recipients to a fake news article featuring a photo and testimonial from
Musk, promising an up to 90% saving on monthly electricity bills.

The big power companies are scamming you. Yes, thats right. Believe it or
not, they have been using a secret to cheat you every time you run your
lights, dishwasher, blender, vacuum and anything else that draws power, says the fake Elon Musk.

This is why your power bill is so expensive every month and keeps rising with some US residents paying as much as $500 a month in electric bills. Every American can slash their electricity bill by 90% using this revolutionary technology. Youre welcome.

The article features a photo of the device, and links to product pages, where the plugin is sold for $40. Bitdefender has seen similar devices sold on Chinese marketplaces for just a few dollars - but to be clear, energy prices cannot be reduced by plugging in an outlet, and these devices will cost
victims money and their personal information.

These are classic social engineering attacks , which are designed to panic or entice victims into action - usually clicking a malicious link which will
steal their data. The best way to stay safe from attacks like these is to
stay vigilant, and to never click any unsolicited links - remember, if it
seems too good to be true, it probably is!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/a-new-sms-energy-scam-is-using-elon-mus ks-face-to-steal-your-money

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