WhatsApp scams are becoming more common. (Image: Reuters/News18)
WhatsApp scams will continue to be a significant risk for users in 2023. These scams come in various forms – including international calling scams, call forwarding scams, job scams and CEO scams.
WhatsApp scams will continue to be a significant risk for users in 2023. These scams come in various forms – including international calling scams, call forwarding scams, job scams and CEO scams.
The most recent and common is the international call scam – where scammers use phone numbers from countries such as Malaysia, Kenya and Vietnam – to impersonate professionals and extort personal data and money. There has been an increase in complaints from users about receiving random calls on WhatsApp and Truecaller has teamed up with WhatsApp to address the issue.
Watch Video: WhatsApp scam high alert: Unknown calls, job offers robbing Indian users
Another common scam is the call forwarding scam, where attackers trick users into dialing MMI codes that activate call forwarding. This allows scammers to access sensitive OTPs and steal money from the user’s account. To avoid this, it is important not to share any sensitive information or dial any codes that scammers may ask you for.
Job scams are also a common threat — where scammers pretend to be recruitment agents offering easy money for watching and sharing YouTube videos. They often use UPI requests to trick people into paying, and reportedly, they build trust by first offering a small amount, and then coercing a larger amount as an ‘investment’ do recovery.
CEO scams are another prevalent threat, where scammers pretend to be the CEO or boss and text the user – asking employees or stakeholders to transfer funds on their behalf. It is necessary to verify the identity of the sender and not transfer any funds. In all likelihood, it is unlikely that the CEO of your company will call you to help transfer money or pay a salary. Ergo, be careful if someone impersonates you as a high ranking official.
Overall, it is important to be vigilant and protect personal information by keeping it confidential. Before striking up a conversation with someone on WhatsApp, it’s important to do your due diligence and remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
read all Latest Tech News Here
