How to spot and avoid Whatsapp scams
Whatsapp scams are becoming a huge issue. Here are some tips on how to recognize WhatsApp scams and how to keep yourself safe and secure from Whatsapp scams.
Today, WhatsApp’s 2 billion users transmit an average of 100 billion messages daily, and scammers hide within those communications, waiting to strike. WhatsApp has evolved into a simple method for fraudsters to transmit scam messages via numerous networks in the hopes that innocent people may fall victim to an online scam.
Because the network has become so accessible and widely used, cybercrime on WhatsApp is rising, costing each victim thousands of dollars on average.
The goal of this post is to tell you about real-life WhatsApp scams, how to spot a scam, and how to prevent getting fooled by scammers.
The types of WhatsApp scams
There are several sorts of WhatsApp scams in circulation, and the list is set to increase as frauds become too clever. Look at a few of the most typical scams listed below.
1. Voicemail hacking
Scammers frequently hack voicemail boxes to collect verification codes, which they then use to access a user’s WhatsApp account. When you initially install WhatsApp, it confirms your account by sending a six-digit number through text message. A scammer can install WhatsApp on their smartphone using stolen account information.
As they already have contact names, profile photographs, and other information, fraudsters can frequently easily re-fraud contacts. When WhatsApp sends the code via text, they choose the option that reads, “I never got the code, requesting verification by phone.”
2. WhatsApp hijacking
Whatsapp hijacking is a typical way of gaining control of an unsuspecting user’s WhatsApp account to commit fraud. A cybercriminal hijacking involves getting the initial user’s phone number. They download WhatsApp on their smartphone and then contact the victim, claiming to be a friend and requesting a verification code for the victim’s account. To get the verification code and access the victim’s account, they simultaneously message the victim and claim the code was provided mistakenly.
3. Impersonation scams
This type of scam generally involves the scammer pretending to be a friend, family member, or work colleague, contacting a user from an unknown number, and urgently requesting money. The scammer may use images of a friend they’ve located on social media to trap the victim or make connections to activities the user has posted about on sites like Facebook or Twitter.
4. Malicious links
External links are a straightforward approach for scammers since they allow for the mass distribution of a URL that directs the receiver to a browser to take a survey promising a prize. The user fills out the survey and provides private information such as their name, address, email address, and bank information. The fraudster can use this information to steal identities or sell them to third parties.
5. Compromised apps
Although there are currently no unauthorized WhatsApp versions accessible on the iOS AppStore or the Android PlayStore, reports in the past have confirmed the existence of viruses in programs that were made available for download. After a user downloaded the malicious program, messages were sent to other WhatsApp users with links to the download page, further spreading the malware.
If you want to avoid scammers, then you must be able to recognize them. But that’s how. Read the following steps to make yourself able.
How to Identify WhatsApp Scam
A WhatsApp fraud may be recognized in a variety of ways. If you receive such communications, you can recognize them and know what actions to take.
1. Frequently Forwarded Messages
Many WhatsApp users should be aware that the app allows you to forward and receive messages from one person to another.
However, users may need to be aware that WhatsApp provides a different signal for frequently forwarded messages. Users will notice a double arrow instead of the single arrow that typically indicates a forwarded message when a message is forwarded five times or more.
Users will also notice a little informing them that a text has been forwarded several times in their inbox.
It should be noted that if a message is forwarded more than five times, it is almost certainly spam. A boring meme involves spreading fake news, videos, or anything more deadly.
2. Scams and Suspicious Links
The WhatsApp scam is designed to trick you into clicking the link in the message. It will attempt to obtain your information, login credentials, financial information, and any other vital data for the dark web when you click the link on your side.
3. Unrecognized Numbers
You may quickly send a message to your WhatsApp contacts. It implies that spammers may scrape the web for contact information, such as purchasing a list of active numbers from the dark web. Your phone number may be used to hack other services, and they can then use that information to send you unwanted messages.
Your address books probably do not contain those senders, it will appear as an unknown number in your inbox.
Indeed, you may receive a message from an unknown number that turns out to be a message from a friend who has changed their phone number. However, they will almost always be spam!
However, it is not a fully safe method. To prevent receiving unauthorized WhatsApp messages, you can still hide your status. The sender will have no idea whether or not your account is active.
4. Verification of Login Requests
WhatsApp cannot be linked to two-factor authentication applications or services that we are aware of. Because no 2FA (factor authentication) messages will ever reach your WhatsApp, setting up 2FA on all your accounts is the best method to ensure security, even if someone has managed to control your account details.
If scammers contact you from an unknown number, they may claim to be a friend (in your contacts) who has changed phone numbers. Don’t worry if you receive such messages on WhatsApp. The message is spam, but it doesn’t mean someone is attempting to spam you; you can ignore and block it. You are safe if you managed to secure your personal information (name, birth date, bank account number, credit card, or password) from scammers.
How to avoid WhatsApp scams
Knowing the different kinds of WhatsApp scams and how to identify them is good, but it’s better if you can avoid them altogether.
Check out the tips listed below to improve your chances of avoiding WhatsApp scams:
- If you receive a message from an unknown sender, such as PayPal, long-press the link to reveal the URL and check to verify if the web address matches PayPal’s official website.
- Messages for money frequently come from unknown callers. Before acting, getting confirmation from your friends via another form of contact is advisable.
- Call you from an unknown number; if no one answers, text your friend immediately and ask whether they are contacting you.
- You may protect yourself from scammers by adding a secure pin code to your voicemail service. The scammer will be unable to get the WhatsApp verification code. Thanks to the code!
- Once WhatsApp’s two-step verification is activated, the app will give you a verification code to the usual device when someone attempts to log in from a different smartphone.
- Whether you receive such a message, carefully review the wording and consider whether the unknown contact seems familiar or if their grammar or spelling matches the real person.
How to report a WhatsApp scam
You may report them if you think you may have fallen victim to a WhatsApp scam by doing the following actions:
- Android: open WhatsApp, choose More Options, and then go to Settings > Help > Contact Us to report a scam.
- iOS: Open WhatsApp and select Settings > Help > Contact Us.
How to report suspicious phone numbers
WhatsApp takes concerns about suspect contact numbers seriously. You may report suspicious numbers to WhatsApp by following these guidelines:
- Open the conversation associated with the questionable contact.
- Then open the chat details to find the number, group, or contact name to find their account information.
- Select Report Contact or Report Group at the bottom of this section.
Final Words
As technology usage grows, so does the risk of being scammed. The safety of your family, children, and yourself should be your priority. The best parental control software for Android allows parents to check their children’s internet activity.
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