[Update: Verified Bot account scam] Discord 'shaming server' invite scam: Here's what you need to know

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on July 4, 2022) follows:

Launched in 2015, Discord was initially used by gamers worldwide to communicate with each other. The platform has more than 150 million people worldwide who use it as a video, chat, and text-based communication service.

Since the app is free to use, the company generates almost all of its revenue from the Nitro subscription service.

But like the majority of apps, it is often affected by bugs and glitches like Overlay settings not changing or reverting to default and About Me page tab not working fo some.

While Discord developers are working to fix the aforementioned issues, many users are now reporting that they are getting an invite to a shaming server with a message claiming they did something wrong (1,2,3,4,5).

After clicking the invite link, the server asks for verification by scanning a QR code that gives them access to your Discord account. The bot then takes over the account and sends the same message to everyone in your contact list.

It looks like multiple servers are running the scam so they can get their hands on user accounts.

Hey, I’m very much a noob with discord. I barely use it much anymore and barely used it actively much. But I got this dm just now from someone inviting me to a discord named “name & shame” explaining how someone with the same name and pfp sent inappropriate things to them so they blocked me. I just wanna know if it’s safe to accept the invite and explain the misunderstanding or if it’s just best to ignore. Thanks!
(Source)

the server “Shame|Exposing|Packing|Arguments” is a pseudo-server from what i believe where you verify with qr code like you would to log in to discord as a “verification” which hacks the user and spams these messages to guilt people into joining and its a massive cycle, please stay safe and if anyone has any information on this server that would be helpful.
(Source)

The only way to avoid getting your account hacked is to ignore invites to such servers. In case you already got hacked, make sure you change your password as soon as possible and turn on two-factor authentication.

For added security, you can also limit your Discord to already joined servers and friends only.

As always, we will be updating this space when we come across more information so make sure you keep checking PiunikaWeb.

09:35 am (IST): A user suggested that if you come across a screen similar to the one linked below, then you have to tap on ‘Cancel’ instead of ‘Yes, log me in’.

10:08 am (IST): It now appears that scammers are coming up with new servers to continue the ‘shaming server’ scam. A user received an invite to a server named E X P o S E D with a scam message.

So, users should look out for such suspicious servers and avoid them.

01:25 pm (IST): A user has suggested some precautionary measures to avoid the ‘shaming server’ invite scam. It includes changing some Privacy & Safety settings. You can check them below.

05:45 pm (IST): Here’s a video highlighting how Discord ‘shaming server’ scam works, what you can do to avoid it, and how to recover your account after being scammed. You can check it out below.

10:53 am (IST): Discord users are now reporting (1, 2, 3) another scam where they are getting messages from ‘Verified’ bot accounts with a suspicious link. We recommend you don’t click on the link and block the account instead.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Apps section so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.