WhatsApp is used to stay in touch with friends and family no matter where we are. It is also widely used by companies, to contact customers. However, do not forget that it can also be used by hackers to carry out scams. Therefore, in this article we are going to talk about some of the main scams that can come to you via WhatsApp. And yes, sooner or later it is difficult for one of these messages not to end on your mobile.
Knowing how to act is fundamental and the most important thing is to directly ignore and delete them. Sometimes they can be accompanied by a link that takes you to a fake page. Other times they may simply want to ask you questions to get hold of your data. It is essential to keep common sense and not fall into the trap.
Common WhatsApp scams
If you fall for the bait, your security and privacy will be compromised. They could gain access to your device, sneak in a virus to control it, steal passwords or personal information. It is a major problem, so you must take certain measures to protect yourself and that this is not a real problem.
I have changed my number
This is a fairly common scam. You simply receive a message from an unknown number in which someone says “hi, I have changed my number. Write it down” or something similar. What they are looking for, clearly, is to interact with you. They want you to ask who it is. There they will continue the conversation and at least they will know that behind that number there is an active user.
This strategy is basically used for that, so that you fall into the error and start talking. You will be curious to see who it is. You can even think that it is a close friend or family member who has really changed their number. Be careful because they can impersonate someone and start requesting money.
look at this offer
Another fairly common scam is receiving a message with an alleged offer. For example something very cheap from Amazon or any other platform. It is simply a bait, a way to get our attention so that we click or download a file. They can also be supposed discount codes.
Be careful because these messages can reach you from a contact of yours. It is possible that they have suffered a previous computer attack and now they are sending that by WhatsApp without being aware of it. In this case, notify that person so they can see what could have happened and cut the chain as soon as possible.
Is it you who is in this photo?
It is yet another way to seek curiosity. They will ask you if it is you who appears in the photo or video. Surely that is accompanied by a link to a supposed website where you will see that image. What they want is for you to click, end up going to that site, and then find yourself with a form to log in, for example Facebook, or something similar.
You should always look closely at the message itself, but also at the URL of that link. There you can find some clues that help you know if you are facing a scam or not. If you have the slightest doubt, it is best to ask the person who sent it to you.
you got a prize
Prizes are also often present. You get a message with a supposed raffle in which you have been selected. We are not only talking about a monetary prize, but also about some product, a trip or anything else. It is one more way to capture attention and that we end up clicking.
This is something that you can find not only on WhatsApp, but also when browsing web pages or using social networks. You should always take precautionary measures to avoid problems and reduce the risk of having your passwords or personal data stolen in a simple way.
In short, these are some scams that you can come across when using WhatsApp. It is essential that you maintain common sense, do not make mistakes and always have your device protected. All of this will help you improve security and privacy in general, not just when using this type of application.
