Unknown phone numbers often request money via messages, which can lead to phishing scams, spam campaigns and malicious websites. WhatsApp boasts two billion users, meaning fraudsters only need to target a fraction of them in order to gain an edge. It is essential that you become acquainted with WhatsApp scams and know how to spot them when they arise.
1. Verification Code Scam
WhatsApp users need to be aware of common scams that could damage their accounts. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid them.
Verification Code Scams
If a scammer obtains your verification code, they can use it to take over your account and access all of your chats. To protect yourself against this, treat every code like a password and never share it with anyone else.
Another way to protect yourself from this scam is setting up two-factor authentication, which provides you with a one-time code sent through your phone or email before logging in. This makes logging into WhatsApp much more challenging for fraudsters and worth the investment if your app stores your information on its server.
Consider enabling voice verification, which requires a unique code sent directly to your phone or email before you can log in. You could also add a PIN number to your voicemail so scammers cannot obtain verification codes from there.
Money Transfer Scams
A common WhatsApp scam involves a money transfer scam. In this instance, an unscrupulous individual contacts you via messaging service to request money, then claims they need your bank account or mobile phone number in order to complete the transfer.
These messages often come from people you don’t know. They may say things like, “I need to pay you back,” or “If I don’t send this money today, I’m going to jail.”
To help you spot scams, we’ve put together six warning signs that you may have been targeted by a con artist. These could include strange links, odd spelling or grammar mistakes, and URLs that don’t match the company you think it is.
If you spot any of these warning signs, notify WhatsApp right away. They’ll help track down and remove the offender from your contact list. After changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication for extra protection, double check that all devices have internet access.
2. Money Transfer Scam
WhatsApp continues to attract scammers who prey upon its users. While these can be challenging to avoid when using the app regularly, there are steps you can take to keep yourself secure.
One of the most frequent scams involves sending you a fraudulent link that attempts to collect personal information such as passwords or bank account details. Always double-check the URL before clicking any link, and never open links from strangers.
Another common scam involves a fake business account that looks similar to an authentic account on the platform, making it difficult to distinguish which ones are real. If you’re an online entrepreneur, it is imperative to monitor these suspicious accounts and report them promptly.
Money transfer scams are one of the most prevalent types of scams on WhatsApp. Scammers typically pose as close friends or family members and ask you to transfer money from your bank account. This type of impersonation attack is straightforward to execute and a great way for people to be duped out of their hard-earned cash.
A scammer will send you a message from an unknown number that claims to be from either a child or close relative, such as their grandchild. They usually tell a tale about how their phone has been lost or broken and then request funds be transferred.
This type of scam is both straightforward and efficient, making it a good idea to do your due diligence before transferring money. Furthermore, verbally verify any bank account details sent before making the transfer will give additional assurances of safety.
Be extremely wary of anyone contacting you and asking for your bank account or mobile phone number. For your own safety, use a secure voicemail service to confirm these requests and guarantee you can hear what the caller has to say before responding.
Be wary of fraudulent links that appear in WhatsApp messages and on other platforms. They’re designed to infect your device with malware that will steal personal information. Be especially wary of links offering freebies or giveaways, since these could be fake.
3. Fraudulent Link Scam
WhatsApp is one of the world’s most popular messaging applications with over two billion users. Unfortunately, its reputation as a platform for scammers also exists. To protect yourself from becoming one of their victims, it’s essential that you comprehend common scams and how to avoid them.
Fraudulent Link Scam:
This type of phishing involves an attacker sending you a message and asking you to click on a link that looks legitimate, even if it comes from a trusted company. But be wary: the link could contain malicious software or steal personal information without your knowledge.
It is vitally important to be wary of any phishing scam, as it can lead to the theft of both personal information and money. The fraudster may ask you for large sums of cash or share your bank account information; additionally, they may threaten to release damaging photos or videos of you if you do not comply with their requests.
You can identify this phishing scam by the fact that it is sent from a mobile number that does not match your own. If you receive any message from an unknown number, be sure to immediately verify its source by Googleing it.
To protect yourself against this type of phishing attempt, never send out personal details or login credentials via any messaging application. Instead, visit the official website of the company or bank and verify all requested information before providing it.
Phishing scams like this one are often employed by cybercriminals to gain access to WhatsApp accounts and private messages. Once cybercriminals possess your personal details, they can use them to impersonate you in other messages or even send spam.
Phishing attacks can be very hard to spot, so it’s essential to remain alert. To identify fake WhatsApp messages sent from unknown senders, check the domain of the sender; it may differ from that of the entity they claim to represent.
4. Call Forwarding Scam
The Call Forwarding Scam has been around since 2004. This scam involves someone dialing a code (like *72), which then forwards your calls to another number. This enables the fraudster to make long distance or 1-900 premium calls that are then billed back to you.
Experts advise that if you have a phone with call forwarding, be sure to review your monthly bill to check for any unexpected charges. Furthermore, contact your telephone company to deactivate this feature if desired.
Your phone and carrier may have different call-forwarding codes, but they usually consist of stars or hash symbols. By learning these codes, you can prevent scammers from redirecting your calls and generating unwanted charges on your account.
A popular version of this scam involves a business owner being asked to use their phone for various reasons, such as car trouble or dead cell phone. In exchange, the number is forwarded to an unknown number which could potentially lead to fraudulent credit card information.
Officials report that in some cases the scam has even been used to deceive businesses into accepting paper checks. Not only is this practice risky for consumers, but it could also damage your company’s reputation as a trustworthy business.
Scammers often create fake WhatsApp accounts that look identical to verified business accounts. Since these accounts can be difficult to detect, business owners should be alert and report them as soon as they become aware.
Another popular phishing attack utilizes call forwarding to access a victim’s WhatsApp account. This scam works by activating call forwarding on the victim’s device and then sending out a one-time password (OTP) through voice call instead of text message, allowing the attacker to circumvent standard security measures on WhatsApp. Executing this scam is relatively straightforward and could result in severe financial loss for them.
