Watch out: Scammers are clogging up LinkedIn comments with fake "account restricted" warnings

Dalton Dullaghan
3 days ago
2 min read

If you’ve been on LinkedIn lately and spotted a comment on your post (or someone else's) claiming your account is about to be suspended, don't lose your cool. It’s almost certainly a scam.

Phishing scammers have started a new trend where they post official-looking replies to comments. They’ll tell you that you’ve "engaged in activities that don't comply with policies" and that your account is "temporarily restricted" until you click a link to appeal.

Don't fall for the "bot" act

These scammers are trying their best to look like official LinkedIn support bots. They use names like "Linked Very" or similar professional-sounding handles to make it look legit.

They’re basically churning out these fake accounts at scale. LinkedIn is playing a bit of "whack-a-mole" by deleting them as they pop up, but the scammers just create new ones and keep going.

The dodgy links

The goal is simple: they want you to click a link.

Sometimes they use shortened LinkedIn links to make them look "safe."
If you click, you’ll be taken to a fake login page that looks exactly like the real LinkedIn.
The moment you type in your email and password, the scammers have got you.

How to stay safe

LinkedIn has confirmed they know about the issue and are working on it, but in the meantime, here’s how to stay out of trouble:

Treat comments with a pinch of salt: LinkedIn will almost never notify you about an account restriction via a public comment on a post. They’d send you a proper notification or an email (and even then, you should check the app directly).
Go straight to the source: If you're genuinely worried about your account, don't click the link in the comment. Open a new tab, type in linkedin.com yourself, and check your settings. If there’s a real problem, you’ll see it there.
Get a password manager: These are brilliant because they won't "auto-fill" your details on a fake site. If the manager doesn't recognise the URL, it’s a massive red flag.
Report the comment: If you see one of these "Linked Very" style comments, do everyone a favour and report it as spam. It helps the platform bin them faster.

The long and short of it: If a random "official" account pops up in your comments telling you your account is at risk, it’s a load of rubbish. Ignore it, report it, and carry on with your day.