- The hack and lockdown
- A growing trend
NPR host Scott Simon has become the latest high-profile media figure to have his X account hijacked by cryptocurrency scammers
Steve Inskeep, Simon’s colleague, posed a warning to followers, clarifying that Simon is not pushing digital assets.
The hack and lockdown
Inskeep took to X to share a direct message from Simon regarding the ongoing breach.
HOT Stories
Will Dogecoin (DOGE) Remove Zero This Week? New Reality for XRP’s Price, Shiba Inu’s Volatility Compression Is Close: Crypto Market Review
Canadian Billionaire Mocks Crypto Bull’s Tom Lee Latest Market Prediction
“We are working to reverse this hack, and hope that @X will help,” Simon stated via Inskeep’s post
“We think it’s important to keep people talking to each other. Our account has meant a lot to people, and to us, since 2009.”
Simon’s account (@nprscottsimon), which boasts over 971,000 followers, was locked down to limit the damage
The profile currently displays a notice stating that the account’s posts are protected and only approved followers can view them
The account has been locked to prevent scammers from broadcasting further malicious links to the public.
A growing trend
Reporters with credibility and large audiences are a prime target for hackers
Malicious actors tend to exploit their profiles to quickly promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. They often use “pump and dump” tactics or phishing links.
Recent examples of similar targeted attacks include Paul Sperry from The New York Post
In May 2025, hackers infiltrated the New York Post’s verified X account. They sent direct messages impersonating journalist Paul Sperry to lure unsuspecting (and extremely gullible) crypto users into a fake podcast interview via Telegram. Nick Robinson, the veteran BBC journalist, had his account compromised after falling for a phishing message last year. The attackers used his profile to promote a bogus cryptocurrency token, which is a typical modus operandi
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Rhea Finance Suffers Attack, Loses Approximately $7.6M
Rhea Finance experienced a security breach where an attacker created fake token contracts and manipulated liquidity pools, misleading the oracle system and extracting at least $7.6 million in assets.
GateNews16m ago
Ukraine Dismantles International Cybercrime Ring, Seizes $3M in Cryptocurrency
A suspect connected to an international cybercriminal group was arrested in Ukraine for $100 million in fraud and money laundering. Police seized $11 million in assets and $3 million in cryptocurrency. The suspect faces charges for document forgery and money laundering.
GateNews2h ago
DeFi Sector Faces Multiple Pressures as Yields Fall and $285M Hack Raises Security Concerns
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is under pressure as lending yields drop to levels similar to traditional bonds, blockchain activity declines, and a significant hack raises security concerns, challenging claims of institutional-grade safety.
GateNews2h ago
France to Introduce New Measures to Combat Crypto-Related Kidnappings, 41 Cases Reported in 2026
France is implementing new measures to protect cryptocurrency holders in response to rising crime, including a prevention platform and stricter protocols. The country has seen a significant increase in crypto-related kidnappings, leading global incidents.
GateNews4h ago
RedPeach Implements Facial Recognition Tests to Ban Sex Robots and Fake Creators
RedPeach has introduced mandatory facial recognition for content creators to combat impersonation by AI and outsourced chatters, ensuring genuine interactions. CEO Marco Cally emphasizes user protection against emotional scams, following legal challenges in the industry.
GateNews5h ago
CoW Swap users warned after Blockaid flags COW.FI frontend attack
Blockaid flags CoW Swap's cow.fi frontend as malicious, urging users to revoke token approvals and avoid the dApp amid a broader wave of DeFi interface attacks.
Summary
Blockaid flags CoW Swap's main cow.fi frontend as malicious.
Users are urged to revoke token approvals and avoid the dApp
Cryptonews8h ago
