Why do people claim their twitter accounts have been hacked when they are found posting offensive tweets?

[Jane]

Do they actually think that people will believe them?

[harkamal]

Ahaha people try covering up but no, it doesn't always work

[Persian_Princess]

they hope people believe them, but we all know it's lies. it's just things they do or say which they later regret and don't want to take responsibility for it

[Karo Miyuki]

It depends on who their closest friends are, and how well they know them. If you've got somebody who can vouch for you because they know you'd never do or say that, that's one thing. Being an outright dick to their faces is something else entirely.

[Dickbiscuit11]

Because it is one of the most sensible, if not the only reason why the tweets would be there if the owner of the account did not write them. It is also hard to prove them wrong if there were no witnesses of them composing the message. It seems to also trigger some sort of empathetic response from those to whom the excuse is used on. So no, it's not very believable, but is the only thing the owner of the account can do to deflect any blame.

[Nevuna]

Yep, they think we're stupid enough to believe them. At least have some dignity and admit it. Lying by saying you got hacked is just idiotic and just proves they are a liar. That's not to say they haven't actually been hacked because it does happen, but 99% are just embarrassed. They thought their tweet would go down well and be RT and faved. But they received abuse so didn't want to admit ownership of the tweet. It's pathetic.