WhatsApp has changed the game here in South Africa – just think about how many fewer calls you make these days, and how organising something with mates is as simple as creating a group.
Of course as we come to value its services more and more, so do the skelms look at new ways to use this against us.
MyBroadband have put together a list of the latest scams looking to fleece people of their money, so here’s a round up of what to look out for:
WhatsApp OTP favourites scam
[It] involves a scammer tricking you into believing he is someone on your contact list whose number has changed.
In reality, the scammer has gained access to a contact list which contains your number.
Once he believes he has you hooked, he tells you an SMS is being sent to your phone that contains a number – which you must forward to him so he can add you to his favourites.
This is a one-time PIN, which is meant to protect your accounts from fraudsters. Never send these PINs to anyone in a text message.
WhatsApp malware link-sharing scam
Another scam doing the rounds promises discounts from popular restaurants or stores.
To redeem the offer, it asks you to share the promotion to 10 contacts – which appears in your chats as a “Look [link]”.
…clicking the link will install malware on your device, which can be used to steal your identity or access your banking details.
WhatsApp “Ultra-Light Wi-fi” scam
A variant of this scam doing the rounds…promises a new WhatsApp feature – Ultra-Light Wi-fi – in return for sharing a link 10 times.
When you click on the link your are tricked into providing your personal information via a survey website. In some cases the website will infect your phone with malware.
WhatsApp subscription competition
A WhatsApp “competition” is doing the rounds, where users receive a message which links to a Facebook page.
Navigating to this page lets you spin a prize wheel, which promises a prize, such as a new smartphone. Spinning the wheel takes you to a new page, where to claim your prize you have to share your result 10 times.
Clicking the continue link after sharing your result takes you to a new page where you are told your prize has been reserved.
To claim the prize, you have to enter your cellphone number and click a “Yes, I want” button.
This takes you to a new screen which informs you an SMS will be sent to your phone, and you are instructed to reply “Yes” to this SMS.
Doing so opts you into a R7-per-day subscription service.
There are a number of other scams out there so check out the rest HERE.
Exercise caution, and remember sometimes when it sounds too good to be true it really is.
[source:mybroadband]
[imagesource:here]
[imagesource: EPA] According to the World Bank, in the 72 years since 1950, the world e...
More and more people are being schooled outside of the four walls of an institution and ar...
[imagesource: YouTube / Africa News] Pierre Carter, the 56-year-old South African who h...
[imagesource: Shutterstock] Rhino poaching continues to be profitable for those who get...
[imagesource:here] A R20,5 million Lotto jackpot is on the line. The winner of that ...