Users of popular messaging service WhatsApp have been warned to stay vigilant as scam cases continue to rise on the platform.
Here we outline the current Whatsapp scams doing the rounds.
A very common money-stealing scheme on WhatsApp is the ‘friend in need’ scam, where criminals send messages posing as loved ones urgently requesting cash.
The Metro reported that scammers are increasingly using AI voice technology to mimic people’s relatives, creating a sense of familiarity which leads people to be more likely to part with their cash.
Criminals attempt to pull on the heart strings by sending the text to your WhatsApp inbox unannounced saying that a ‘friend’ is in a dire situation and needs help immediately.
Citizens Advice has warned that if the text comes from a number that’s not saved in your phone book, it may be a scam designed to exploit your “kindness, trust and willingness to help.”
Scammers are also texting people claiming to be from the Department of Work and Pensions, offering a cost of living subsidy in a text which also contains a link.
Clicking the link leads to a phishing website set up to harvest personal information.
Which? also warned that WhatsApp is being used to carry out task scams, where the victim is encouraged to complete online jobs which are sent through the platform.
Eventually, victims are asked to invest money to “upgrade” their accounts—but the money simply vanishes.
Not only are victims never paid for the work, but all “invested” money is lost to the scheme.
Action Fraud has now issued an alert as the amount of scammers on the messaging service is increasing.
A WhatsApp spokesperson told Action Fraud earlier this year: “All personal messages sent on WhatsApp are protected by end-to-end encryption, but we can all play a role in keeping our accounts safe.
“We recommend that all users set up two-step verification for added security and advise people never to share their six-digit PIN code with others, not even with friends or family.
“If you receive a suspicious message, calling or requesting a voice-note is the fastest and simplest way to check that someone is who they say they are.”
Have you lost money to a scam? Contact National Fraud Helpline. Call 0333 0033218 or fill out our Claim Form.