What are WhatsApp scams? How to identify them and stay safe? 

WhatsApp Scams: On WhatsApp, we contact each other through our contact numbers. We feel comfortable replying to someone who is already in our contact list, while we try to probe if someone unknown or whose number we haven't saved in our WhatsApp account contacts us.

But what if someone hijacks your acquaintance's WhatsApp account and contacts you, impersonating your friend?

Or, what if someone sends you a 4- or 6-digit code on your mobile number and says that they have mistakenly sent it to you, and asks you to share it with them.

In WhatsApp scams, scammers dupe you in different ways, sometimes passing as your acquaintance; sometimes showing urgency, or sometimes offering you a gift, prize, or money that may seem extremely lucrative and tempting.

But you need to be aware of scammers' tactics and save yourself from falling prey to them. 

In this write-up, we will inform you about different types of WhatsApp scams, how you can identify them, and how you can stay safe.

Types of WhatsApp scams and what you should do:

Youtube Likes

This is becoming one of the most common WhatsApp scams these days.

You get a message from an unknown number impersonating HR at a reputed company recruiting people for a freelance work-from-home job.

They say you will get money for liking a particular group on WhatsApp. For every like, you will get a certain amount.

The surprising thing is that they send you money initially.

But there is a catch. After sending a certain amount, they say that they need security money to give you further tasks.

The money they ask for is surely much bigger than the amount they have sent.

If you fall prey to their trick and send them money in the greed of getting more work, they disconnect and never contact you.

What you should do: No company in this world can give you a handsome amount to like their videos on YouTube.

Second, if they have the capacity to pay you after every like, why on earth would they need security money from you? Just be aware of such messages and do not reply. 

Scammers impersonating your parents

Aged people are the main target of this scam.

They receive a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be their child.

The scammer tells them a story that appears to be true and says that their phone is malfunctioning or has been broken, and hence they are sending a message from an unknown number.

They say they are in an emergency situation, need money urgently, and send their account details. As soon as the victim sends money, the scammer disappears.
 
What you should do: Make a voice call to your child or send a text message on mobile to confirm if they have really lost their phone. Also, ask them something about which a third person won't know.

Friend or relative in urgent need 

In this scam, scammers impersonating your friend or relative will send you a message out of the blue.

They say that they need to pay some loan or fine and can be caught by the Police if they fail to do so.

They ask for money immediately so that you don't cross-question them.

Once you send money, they switch off their number or don't reply to your call or messages.

What you should do

Ask them to call you at your phone number or send you a voice or video message.

Or, call them right away and ask them about some common information that only you and they know.

Verfication Code

In this type of scam, you receive a four- or six-digit verification code from an unknown number.

The scammer says that they sent it to you mistakenly, won't send it again, and hence apologise.

They then ask you to share the code. Once you share it, they get access to your WhatsApp details and commit crimes through that.

What you should do

There is a possibility that someone mistakenly sent it to you.

But it's better not to take a risk and delete it.

Also, block the number to not get any message from it.

Credit Card Details 

In this type of scam, the scammer says that they are calling from a credit card company; you have reward points worth thousands on your credit card, and they can help you encash them.

They ask for your card details and send an one-time password (OTP), to which they will send money earned from reward points into your account.

Once you share your OTP, an amount is deducted from your credit card.

What you can do

A bank or credit card company will never ask you to share any OTP.

First of all, don't share your details; even if you have, never share the OTP.

It's a scam for sure.

Upgrade Subscription

In this scam, a fraudster says that you are eligible for the premium service of apps like Netflix, Amazon, or any popular online service.

They send you an online link on your WhatsApp number and ask you to click it to grant permission for the upgrade.

You click the link, and the fraudster gets access to your phone, resulting in the deduction of money from your account.

What you should do

A prominent online service or store will never send you a link from an unknown number to upgrade your subscription service.

They have their verified WhatsApp numbers with a green tick, and they will contact you only through that. So, never fall prey to scammers. 

Gift cards and surveys 

You get an online link from an unknown number.

The scammer says you will get a gift voucher worth a significant amount for participating in a survey.

You click on the link, and a survey opens, asking you for private details such as name, age, gender, and sometimes bank details too.

Once you finish the survey, you don't get a gift card.

Instead, the scammer gets your personal information to use it for their nefarious purposes.

What you should do

Don't be in a hurry to participate in a survey for a free gift card.

If a company has any such promotional scheme, it must be on their website or social media account.

Always cross-check before filling any information in a random survey.

Lottery Prize Money 

This is quite an old scam, but it has shifted from emails to WhatsApp.

A person sends you a message saying that you have won a multi-million-dollar lottery and that you need to send a certain amount in the form of a cheque to claim the prize.

They share their account details to send you money.

Once you send money, they never contact you back.

What you should do

The simple logic is that if someone can give you millions of dollars in prize money, why do they need a few hundred dollars to issue a cheque for the prize?

It's a scam. Just ignore.

If you haven't purchased a lottery ticket, you won't win it.