Real estate appraisal group loses control of its Twitter, YouTube accounts
Fake tweets include sexual and racial imagery, as well as directives to staff canceling ‘casual Friday.’ Experts say many organizations are unprepared for such online onslaughts.
The Appraisal Institute—a global professional association of real estate appraisers—is not known for its scandalous content.
But this week its Twitter account began posting a series of bizarre links that included references to rape, a link to a racially charged video, and a sequence of a woman sportscaster stripping nude.
In a crisis that reflects any organization’s social media nightmare, AI’s YouTube channel was also compromised.
The attack on the Chicago-based organization’s social media accounts reportedly began Wednesday and was renewed Saturday morning, after AI appeared to have regained control of its account Friday afternoon. Among the new tweets Saturday was a vulgar reference to the chief executive, Frederick H. Grubbe.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
