BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A fake MBTA Commuter Rail account that was creating problems and confusing passengers has been suspended.
The account, "MBTA Commuter Fail," used the same style and logo of the actual account. Their Twitter handle was @MBTA__CR, with two underscores. The original is @MBTA_CR, with one underscore.
The fake account was posting real-time updates mirroring the real account, with sarcastic jokes mixed in. They were also replying to tweets from the official account, and if you didn't spot that extra underscore, it may have looked to you like the official account was continuing the thread.
That is, if you didn't spot the dry humor.
Take this exchange for example, where "MBTA Commuter Fail" replied to a real tweet mentioning delays on the Kingston Line due to "train traffic."
"It's always disappointing for us when we let you guys down by somehow creating traffic on the routes we schedule but alas, we are working to fix it!" the fake account answered, along with an initialed signature in the style of the real account.
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Keolis spokesperson Tory Mazzola told WBZ NewsRadio the account was "confusing passengers and media with false information."
"This is a serious concern because we want our passengers to have timely and accurate information for their trips, and this fake account was purposefully providing false information," Mazzola said.
Some Twitter users found the account hilarious; others decried the spread of misinformation on social media.
The MBTA Commuter Rail definitely didn't think it was funny. They sent out a tweet Thursday morning telling followers to "disregard anything this account, @MBTA__CR posts."
"This is an imposter account and we're actively working with Twitter to get this account shut down," the MBTA said.
By noon, the fake account was taken down.
In a statement, Twitter told WBZ NewsRadio the account was suspended for violating the Twitter Rules.
According to Twitter's requirements for parody, newsfeed, commentary, and fan accounts, parody or fake accounts must indicate that they aren't affiliated with the subject of the account in both the account name and bio.
"Non-affiliation should be stated in a way that can be understood by the intended audience," the Twitter rules read.
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(Photo: Screenshot from Twitter)