WhatsApp Scams : WhatsApp has more than 2 billion people using it, which makes it among the most popular instant messaging applications. Due to its popularity, it’s no wonder that some people are trying to make use of it to take your financial and personal information.
Scammers using the messaging app communicate with people by phone calls or texts typically impersonating legitimate businesses. They may also request cash with threats to harm the person they love.
WhatsApp scams continue to evolve which makes some difficult to recognize. However, there are methods you can recognize the most frequently-cited suspicious signs.
Check out our complete guide to WhatsApp scams and the best way to stay clear of these scams.
What exactly is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp lets users send messages and voice recordings as well as make video and voice calls, and share documents and much more.
One of WhatsApp’s greatest features is its end-to-end encryption. By using this secure method for messaging only the receiver and sender can access messages. In actual fact when you start an account on WhatsApp it will notify you that nobody outside of the chat, including Whatsapp could hear or read the messages sent.
The app lets you make encrypted backups of conversations. It lets you save copies of your chats on iCloud as well as Google Drive that can only be accessed using the use of a password or encryption key.
What exactly are WhatsApp Scams?
Its encryption from end to end makes WhatsApp a fairly secure messaging system and prevents hackers from listening to your messages. But, WhatsApp users are still vulnerable to other forms of fraud .
Certain WhatsApp scams include cybercriminals sending out messages to convince people to share personal or financial details like a password or credit card number. Social Security number. They can also convince you to click on a fraudulent link by impersonating your friend or creating a notification that looks like one from an authentic company. These malicious links could cause your device to be infected with viruses or other malware to gain access to your personal information.
If scammers get your personal details, they could get access to your bank, email and social media account. They can also obtain your personal information and apply for loans or credit cards.
How do you recognize Whatsapp frauds
WhatsApp scams are becoming more sophisticated, which makes difficult to recognize If you’re not sure what to look for. The good news is that most scammers employ similar methods, and knowing what they are will reduce the chance of becoming the victim.
The vast majority of WhatsApp scams include messages that:
- You are asked to immediately take actions immediately. Fraudulent texts are frequently alarming, saying that your account is blocked or that a government agency may initiate legal action against you.
- includes grammatical errors. Text messages from legitimate companies (like banks) will not contain spelling errors. If you receive a text with errors, and then prompts you to make a decision with your personal account or follow a link it’s probably fake.
- The message was sent from unknown figures. Do a quick Google search to determine if the phone number the message was sent to matches who they claim to be. It’s possible that the number doesn’t belong to the agency or company that the message states.
- Imagine you’ve won a random contest. Some WhatsApp spam messages will inform you that you’ve been awarded the prize in a contest that you weren’t a part of. They request you to provide details about yourself in order to claim your prize. Or click on a link to get additional details.
- contains links you aren’t familiar with. Spammers can use hyperlinks to gain access to your device or send you to a fake website created to steal your information. Be wary of links that come from numbers that you don’t recognize , or which lead to sites you haven’t visited in a while. Some of the links could appear familiar, however, if you take your time, could be filled with spelling errors and other characters or even numbers.
- are sent by an unusually long telephone number. Receiving an offer from an unknown 11-digit number could lead to an enticement to commit fraud. Marketing texts typically come via phone numbers that have six numbers which are also known as Short codes for SMS.
How can you avoid WhatsApp scams
Be secure when using WhatsApp is the first step in knowing how to spot the most popular kinds of frauds. Here are some other tips to stay away from becoming a victim
- Beware of messages asking for money. Contact the person or organization directly to determine the issue.
- Rethink any family members or friends reaching out with new numbers.
- Be aware of grammar or spelling mistakes. Texts written by legitimate businesses or agencies will not contain mistakes.
- If someone claims to be an acquaintance, think about whether their writing style is similar to the style of communication they typically use.
- Ask the scammer questions that only your friend or relative will know the answer.
- Avoid using any phone numbers or links included inside the article. Find the company’s or agency’s official contact details on the internet.
- Be aware that government agencies will not ever communicate with you via phone or text messages. Don’t share your bank account information or private informationsuch as you Social Security number or date of birth.
- Create two-factor authentication. This prevents hackers from gaining access to your Whatsapp account, if they try to access it using a different mobile device.
- Do not reply to Whatsapp messages that ask you to provide an authentication code.
- Block suspicious WhatsApp accounts.
