Twitter phishing scam uses iPhone 4G bait

Security experts are warning of a Twitter phishing scam designed to harvest personal data with the offer of a new iPhone 4G as a lure.

Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley wrote in a blog post that the scam employs a "gaggle of profiles, using avatars of sexy young women, pumping out messages to users" saying they could win the device.

"A quick look at one of the Twitter accounts spamming out the messages underlines that she is by no means a regular user, but set up specifically to advertise a data-collecting form on behalf of the shady guys behind this scheme, " he said.

"Clicking on any of these links takes you to a webpage (currently offering an iPod Shuffle as a prize, rather than an iPhone 4G - that's a let down, isn't it?) that asks you to fill in a form with your personal data."

The form asks users to fill in information such as date of birth, marital status, telephone number and address.

"Certainly I would feel very uncomfortable handing over my email address to a group which appears to be associated with folks who are advertising their site via Twitter spam," Cluley warned.