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Impersonators are targeting companies with fake TechCrunch outreach
In a worrying trend, impersonators have been targeting companies with fake TechCrunch outreach. In an alarming move, scammers have adopted the identity of actual TechCrunch reporters and event leads, crafting what appears to be a standard media inquiry about a company’s products and requesting an introductory call.
What makes this scheme particularly egregious is that fraudsters are not only mimicking our reporters’ writing styles but also referencing startup trends to make their pitches increasingly convincing. It is imperative that companies exercise extreme caution when receiving outreach from individuals claiming to represent TechCrunch.
If you receive a suspicious email or phone call claiming to be from a TechCrunch reporter, do not hesitate to verify the sender’s identity. We urge recipients of such messages to take the extra step and double-check media inquiries by verifying our staff page. If an individual’s name is not listed on this page, it’s likely a scam.
Furthermore, we recommend that you scrutinize any requests for sensitive business information or phone calls that seem too good (or too vague) to be true. Legitimate TechCrunch reporters will have a clear job description and bio available on our staff page. If an individual’s job does not align with the request they are making, it is almost certain they are attempting to deceive your company.
In order to preserve the trust that journalists rely upon to do their jobs, we implore you to take extra precautions when engaging with outreach from self-proclaimed TechCrunch reporters or event leads.
Source: techcrunch.com
