What are the Common WhatsApp Scams and How you can Avoid Them?

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging app that used across the world. Years after its launched, this Meta owned app is still the mostly used messaging services and India is having the largest user base for whatsapp. It has over two billion monthly active users worldwide. What makes it so popular is that it is free to use and is available on various platforms, such as Android phones, iPhones, Windows laptop, and the web version. Other than chatting and calling, it is used to send and receive media files. But, due to its huge user base, scammers also use the platform to carry out a variety of scams such as impersonation, phishing, and so on. Go through this article and know some common WhatsApp scam and how you can avoid them.

Some Common WhatsApp Scams and Tips to Avoid Them

Phishing Scams

• One of the most common scams on WhatsApp is Phishing scams. In this type of scam a user receives a message containing a link that looks like it is came from a reliable source such as from a bank, government agency, or even WhatsApp. If you tap on that link it will lead you to a website that resembles the official website of the same name looks like an official website where they can ask to enter your sensitive information like login details, credit card details, or banking details etc. Once you provide such information, scammers will capture it and use it for any fraudulent activities.
• You can avoid this scam by checking the authenticity of the sender, check for any incorrect spelling in the message. You should never click on any links for an unknown sender, and can never share the sensitive information with unknown contacts.

Fake Investment Scheme Groups

• Fraudsters are creating WhatsApp groups and posing as representatives of a big company. They can add hundreds of random contacts and send messages to promise them easy, high-paying opportunities. Fake group members (“shills”) act as satisfied customers, and endorse their scheme. This social proof lures victims into investing, ultimately that leading to financial losses.
• You should never trust such schemes that promise you to get rich quickly, whether it’s on WhatsApp or elsewhere on the internet. If you have added automatically such groups, you should immediately exited that groups and also reported that groups.

Fake Lottery and Prize Scams

• In WhatsApp sometimes a user may receive a message that saying you have won a lottery and you needs to pay some amount to receive the prize.
• If you get such messages that try not respond it. If you are not sure about the message, then you can check whether it is coming from official channels. Legitimate lotteries or contests will not ask you to pay to receive your prize. Apart from this, scammers may trick users into providing sensitive information or downloading malware.

Fake Friendship Scams

• If you met Someone on a social app can ask your WhatsApp number and may message you to build a relationship with you over time while chatting on WhatsApp. Later, that person may ask you for financial assistance, citing an emergency or any issue that sounds genuine and out emotion, you could end up losing your money to this scam.
• So, be cautious with online relationship and ensure that you shouldn’t fall for such scams, be cautious with online relationships and wary of financial requests.

Charity Scams

• By impersonating charitable organisations, scammers can exploit emotions and asking for money on WhatsApp. Scammers may also fabricating urgent scenarios, such as someone needing urgent treatment or surgery and asking for an immediate transfer of money.
• To avoid these type of deceitful tactics, it is important to verify the legitimacy of that charitable requests and donate directly through recognised channels. By verifying the authenticity of that organisation or Trust you can also ensures that your contributions can reach to genuine causes while thwarting fraudulent schemes.

Courier Packages Scams

• Courier package frauds is another prevalent tactics employed by scammers on WhatsApp. A WhatsApp user may receive a message that looks like coming from a legitimate courier company, claiming that your parcel is waiting for delivery and they may ask you to make a payment, citing reasons like delivery charges or customs clearance to receive your parcel.
• Like other scams on WhatsApp you can avoid this by checking the authenticity of the messages directly with the courier company.

Gift Card Scams

• Another common scam on WhatsApp involves receiving messages allegedly offering free gift cards from well-known brands or retailers. These type of scammer in messages ask recipients to click on links or fill out surveys to claim the gift card. When you click that link that lead to the malicious websites or requests for personal information.
• You should be cautious of unsolicited messages that offering freebies and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Because legitimate gift card offers are typically distributed through its official channels or trusted sources. So, before taking any action it is advisable to verify the authenticity of any promotional messages.

WhatsApp Account Hack

• Fraudsters may trick you into sharing your 6-digit WhatsApp account verification code. If you give that code to the scammer that will not also give you the access to your WhatsApp account but also impersonate you and scam your contacts.
• WhatsApp offers two-step verification, which can effectively help prevent account hijacking.

WhatsApp Gold

• WhatsApp has always been a free-to-use messaging app, but scammers may send you a message or email inviting you to upgrade to WhatsApp Gold, a premium membership with exclusive features not available for other users. It will either trick you by asking you to pay for using WhatsApp Gold or install malicious software on your phone to syphon off your sensitive data.
• WhatsApp users should know that WhatsApp does not offer any premium versions. It is advisable to you should not click any links provided in such scam messages.

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