Elon Musk, recognized for main corporations like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and X.AI and shopping for and rebranding Twitter as X, usually finds his title linked to innovation and futuristic concepts. However his popularity additionally makes him a first-rate goal for scammers.
Prior to now, fraudsters have used Musk’s title in cryptocurrency schemes. Now, a brand new rip-off is making the rounds. This time, scammers are selling bogus “energy-saving” gadgets, falsely associating Musk with these merchandise to realize credibility. These gadgets, which don’t work as marketed, are being marketed as revolutionary options, duping individuals into spending cash on what is actually a rip-off.
We acquired this e mail from Rick in Wilkesboro, North Carolina:
“I’ve been receiving emails providing an energy-saving machine developed by Elon Musk. It claims the machine can cut back vitality payments by 50%. I by no means tried to contact anybody related to Elon Musk, nor have I completed any web searches for such a tool. Are these emails legit or one other try by scammers hoping I click on on their hyperlinks?”
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
Rick, it feels like these emails are possible scams. There have been quite a few studies of scammers utilizing Elon Musk’s title to advertise pretend energy-saving gadgets. These scams usually declare that the machine can drastically cut back vitality payments, however there isn’t a proof that Elon Musk or any of his corporations are concerned in such merchandise.
Let’s dive into how this rip-off works and share some methods you’ll be able to keep protected.
Illustration of a scammer at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How does Elon Musk’s energy-saving rip-off work?
The Elon Musk energy-saving rip-off works by utilizing flashy on-line advertisements, unsolicited emails and different misleading ways to lure victims. Scammers promote so-called “revolutionary” gadgets by means of social media, pop-ups, emails and even search engine advertisements, claiming the merchandise are backed by Musk.
These advertisements usually embody pretend buyer opinions, exaggerated claims of slashing electrical energy payments by 50% or extra and time-limited reductions to create urgency. Names of gadgets marketed in these scams embody the Energy Professional Save, Heunwa Energy Save, Cease Watt, Miracle Watt, True Watt, Actual Watt, Watt Rescue, Esaver Watt, Professional Energy Save, Voltmod and extra.
Clicking on these advertisements leads you to gross sales web sites designed to look reputable. They function pretend logos, doctored before-and-after images and bogus movie star endorsements to construct belief. The websites throw round pseudo-scientific jargon like “stabilizing electrical currents” or “rebalancing hundreds” to sound convincing. Additionally they use ways like exhibiting inflated “common” costs crossed out to make the present supply seem to be an enormous discount.
For those who look intently, although, the purple flags are clear. These websites lack fundamental particulars like an organization handle, contact quantity or enterprise registration info. As a substitute, they push you to position an order by means of an internet kind, demanding full fee upfront by way of bank card or PayPal.
After paying, clients would possibly obtain an affordable, non-functional plastic machine, or generally nothing in any respect. These gadgets don’t cut back electrical energy utilization. They could even waste extra energy. However by the point you understand it, the scammers have already pocketed your cash.
Elon Musk rip-off e mail advertisements (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
DON’T CLICK THAT LINK! HOW TO SPOT AND PREVENT PHISHING ATTACKS IN YOUR INBOX
The reality about energy-saving gadgets
Through the years, loads of power-saving scams have promised to chop down and even get rid of your electrical energy invoice by merely plugging of their gadgets. The fact is that there’s no machine you’ll be able to plug in that may really cut back your electrical energy utilization or decrease your family invoice.
These merchandise usually declare to “stabilize voltage” or “cut back energy waste.” Whereas voltage stabilization may be helpful in industrial settings, it doesn’t make a lot distinction for typical house home equipment. Most family home equipment are already designed to run effectively with out the problems these gadgets declare to repair.
For those who’re severe about saving on electrical energy, give attention to sensible options like upgrading to energy-efficient home equipment, utilizing good house gadgets or adjusting your vitality utilization schedule.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
An individual checking e mail on a cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
SNEAKY SCAMMERS DRAIN BANK ACCOUNT IN SINISTER PHONE PHISHING SCHEME
Purple flags to be careful for
Too good to be true: Claims of lowering vitality payments by 50% or extra are sometimes exaggerated and unrealistic.
Unsolicited emails: Receiving emails out of the blue, particularly when you have not proven curiosity in such merchandise, is a standard tactic utilized by scammers.
Use of movie star names: Scammers ceaselessly use well-known names like Elon Musk to lend credibility to their schemes.
Suspicious hyperlinks: Be cautious of clicking on hyperlinks in unsolicited emails. They’ll result in phishing websites designed to steal your private info. Get my picks for the perfect 2025 antivirus safety winners in your Home windows, Mac, Android and iOS gadgets.
10 methods to remain protected from such scams
1. Confirm the e-mail: Phishing emails are a standard software scammers use to trick individuals into shopping for pretend merchandise or freely giving private info. These emails usually seem like they’re from reputable sources, however they comprise hyperlinks that result in fraudulent web sites or immediate you to obtain malicious attachments. At all times examine the sender’s e mail handle and search for indicators of a pretend message, like poor grammar or pressing calls to motion.
2. Confirm claims: For those who’re inquisitive about a product, perform some research from respected sources earlier than taking any motion.
3. Don’t click on hyperlinks: Keep away from clicking on any hyperlinks or downloading attachments from these emails. As a substitute, hover over the hyperlink to see its true vacation spot. This may also help you determine if it results in a reputable website or a malicious one.
4. Have robust antivirus software program actively working in your gadgets: Guarantee you may have dependable antivirus software program put in in your gadgets. Antivirus software program helps shield your gadgets from malware, viruses and different safety threats. Commonly replace the software program to make sure it will possibly detect and take away the most recent threats. Get my picks for the perfect 2025 antivirus safety winners in your Home windows, Mac, Android and iOS gadgets.
5. Study the web site fastidiously: Scammers usually create web sites that look skilled, however they’re simple to identify with a couple of easy checks. Search for lacking or suspicious info, just like the absence of a enterprise handle, cellphone quantity or enterprise registration particulars. If there are pretend testimonials or movie star endorsements, that’s a purple flag.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
6. Don’t fall for “too good to be true” offers: Scammers depend on providing offers that appear too good to cross up, like large reductions or a “restricted time supply.” If an advert claims it can save you 50% or extra on a product, be skeptical. Actual, high quality merchandise often don’t include such excessive financial savings, and high-tech gadgets like these promoted by scammers hardly ever reside as much as the hype. If it appears like too good a deal, it most likely is.
7. Be careful for uncommon fee strategies: One of many best methods to identify a rip-off is by how the scammers ask you to pay. If an internet site asks for fee upfront by way of bank card or PayPal with no choice to confirm or ship the product first, it is a main purple flag. Scammers take your cash upfront and don’t have any intention of sending you something of worth. Stick with respected fee strategies that supply purchaser safety, and keep away from websites that ask for fee with out correct verification.
8. Mark spam e mail as junk or spam: Most e mail suppliers have a function that lets you flag spam emails and transfer them to a separate folder. This may also help you filter out spam emails out of your inbox and in addition enhance the spam detection of your e mail supplier.
9. Don’t share your e mail handle publicly or with unknown sources: This could cut back the possibilities of your e mail handle being collected by spammers. You can too use a disposable e mail or e mail alias for signing up for on-line companies that you don’t belief or want.
10. Use a private knowledge elimination service: Scammers can acquire your info from numerous on-line sources, together with knowledge brokers, individuals search websites and public information. Utilizing a knowledge elimination service may also help cut back your digital footprint, making it more durable for scammers to entry your private info. This proactive step may be essential in stopping id theft and minimizing the possibilities of falling sufferer to scams.
Whereas no service guarantees to take away all of your knowledge from the web, having a elimination service is nice if you wish to always monitor and automate the method of eradicating your info from a whole lot of web sites repeatedly over an extended time period. Take a look at my high picks for knowledge elimination companies right here.
YOUR EMAIL DIDN’T EXPIRE, IT’S JUST ANOTHER SNEAKY SCAM
Kurt’s key takeaway
Impersonation scams are a standard approach scammers steal your cash. They usually use well-known names like Elon Musk or huge corporations like Microsoft and Walmart to make you belief them, then trick you into freely giving your monetary particulars. To remain protected, keep away from unsolicited emails or texts that promote merchandise or provides. If that you must purchase one thing, persist with trusted sellers like Amazon, Finest Purchase or different respected platforms. At all times double-check the legitimacy of any supply earlier than making a purchase order, particularly if it comes from an unfamiliar supply.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Have you ever ever encountered a rip-off utilizing a widely known title or model? What occurred? Tell us by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For extra of my tech ideas and safety alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report E-newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/E-newsletter
Ask Kurt a query or tell us what tales you would like us to cowl
Observe Kurt on his social channels
Solutions to essentially the most requested CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
