WHATSAPP is one of the safest chatting apps you can use but that doesn’t stop hackers and scammers trying to catch you out on it.
These are the most serious WhatsApp scams that we have seen in the last month.
1
Hacked version of WhatsApp
Cyber-security experts recently warned about a dodgy version of WhatsApp that exposes its users to hackers.
The WhatsApp “mod” – an unofficial version of the chat app that grants users additional features – invites dangerous malware into your phone.
Researchers at Russian security company Kaspersky Labs claim that the malware can launch ads and purchase subscriptions to intercept your texts.
FMWhatsapp is the popular WhatsApp messenger modification that was exposed by the team.
WhatsApp mods are features that add new features to the stock messaging app. These include privacy, security, and customisation.
They are created by tech wizards not associated with Facebook. WhatsApp warns users against downloading them.
Kaspersky suggested that users only download official apps to avoid falling for similar scams.
It is important to carefully examine the permissions required by the apps.
Money stealing WhatsApp scam
Earlier this month, WhatsApp users were warned about a scam that could see criminals steal thousands from them.
TheChartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)has been warning people about the fraud that involves a scammer posing as someone you know.
The CTSI has provided an example of this scam in a statement posted on its website.
It revealed: “A member of the public named Alison received a message on the popular messaging platform WhatsApp: “Hi mum, I’ve dropped my phone down the loo (sad emoji) this is my new number.”
Alison responded to the message by asking if it was Will, her son.
“The very next day, Alison’s ‘son’ messaged her asking for £2,600 and explained that he had got mixed up with loan sharks and needed to pay up. Alison didn’t doubt the message for a moment.”
Alison realized that this was a scam and stopped waiting for it to get too serious.
If you receive a suspicious message asking for money, it is a good idea to call a friend or family member.
Fake delivery WhatsApp scam
The team at anti-virus provider Kaspersky Lab have been urging people to be on their guard when opening texts claiming to be about deliveries.
The attackers pose as delivery companies online and request that their victims click on a link to take them to a questionable website.
The visitor is then prompted to enter their credit card details and bank information.
Kaspersky explained the deluge of WhatsApp scams in areport.
“Unexpected parcels requiring payment by the recipient remained one of the most common tricks this past quarter,” Kaspersky wrote.
Kaspersky wrote: “The reason the invoice was sent by the’mail company” could be customs duties, shipping costs, or a combination of both.
“When trying to pay for the service, as with compensation fraud, victims were taken to a fake website, where they risked not only losing the amount itself (which could be far higher than specified in the email), but also spilling their bank card details.”
Researchers suspect it was due to the rise in home deliveries since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Users should always verify links in WhatsApp messages before they interact with others, according to the company.
To protect themselves from new threats, the company recommended that users install a comprehensive security system.
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