The success of WhatsApp has a downfall: while the instant messaging service reached 600 million active users last summer, the numbers of frauds emerging around the app are also growing steadily.
What are the most common scams in WhatsApp? What should we do so we don’t take the bait?
WhatsApp: 6 scams you must pay attention to!
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A fake invitation to WhatsApp voice calls
With the arrival of WhatsApp voice calls a new fraud has emerged. While millions of users are waiting for an invitation to access this new feature, cybercriminals are distributing the malware via a link, which automatically downloads the malware.
To avoid falling into the new WhatsApp fraud, you should keep in mind that voice calls are only available for Android phones.
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Frauds via browser
After WhatsApp launched their browser platform, fraudulent websites were created to steal your banking data.
This fake webpages use different types of scams:
- Asking for the phone number of the gullible users and then, subscribing them to downloading premium services which charge special rates.
- Making users download an application in their computers, but actually is a Trojan that will allow cybercriminals to obtain confidential information, such as banking information.
In this case, one thing to remember is that the only browser version of WhatsApp is free, and you don’t need to download anything to your computer to use it.
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How to disable the blue double check
Scammers also tried to take advantage of WhatsApp’s double check launch. Before the instant messaging service allowed disabling this feature, in social networks we could find advertisements of fraudulent services for getting rid of the darned double check.
Getting some users to sign up for a premium SMS service without knowing it, which has a special rate. Remember: you can disable the double check feature from the app.
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WhatsApp Gold
The Spanish National Police and Civil Guard reported a couple of months ago the existence of a scam that can be expensive, actually, 36 euros per month.
The fraud starts with a message via social networks in which WhatsApp users are invited to click on a link to update their app to the inexistent Oro version (Gold version), including supposed new and exclusive features. The link takes the user to a web page where, if he wants to use these improvements, he has to give his phone number.
In fact, all those who gave their number will subscribe to a premium SMS service: each text message that you receive will cost you 1.45 euros, until a maximum of 36.25 euro per month. If you ever cross paths with this message, remember there is only one official version of WhatsApp. Common sense is, as usual, your best ally.
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The fake voicemail of WhatsApp
In contrast to the ones before, this scam doesn’t take the advantage of a recently launched service, it just invents one. It starts when a user receives an email, in which they inform him that he has an unread voice message in the WhatsApp nonexistent voicemail.
When he hits “Play”, there is no message, but it downloads malicious software that the scammers introduce to your device. From that moment on, text messages with special rates or the theft of confidential information can cause the user a great deal of trouble. Remember: there is no WhatsApp voicemail.
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WhatsApp’s Spy
We are aware of the existence of WhatsApp Public, an application that allows you to spy your contacts in WhatsApp, but there is a scam that goes one step ahead and offers( with a similar name) a service which allows anyone to read conversations of others. But it is just another way of infecting with malware the gullible user’s phone.
Obviously, you can’t spy other people’s conversations and the only change it will bring it will come in your phone bill, which will increase considerably.
Remember that it is important to maintain your cellphone’s security. If you want, you can download free of charge our antivirus for Android.
Panda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard portfolio of IT security solutions. Initially focused on the development of antivirus software, the company has since expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services with technology for preventing cyber-crime.
38 comments
I have WhatsApp I don’t want anyone have my information m
Thanks for the helpful warnings. Safety is a very important thing that should be carefully thought of.
Thank you for taking time in visiting and reading our content! Glad you enjoy it!
Best regards,
Panda Security.
i got an email from a person called jenny who apartly came from hongkong and says she like my country and wants to come here. she hasnt asked for money but i dont know any jennys or how she got my phone number. I think this may be a scam but im not sure. Can you try and figure out if this is a scam?
I also recently had someone contact me from Hong Kong. Did you ever find out if it was a real person or a scam?
I also received a similar chat message from a lady from HK claiming to be wanting to visit my country. She later claimed to work for a bank and suggested opening a share trading account and gave tips to make money. Is this the same experience?
Very useful to me and to prevent my self from scammer. Thanks
i receive an sms verification code from smsalert which i ignore then an hour letter i tried “call me” then i recieved a whatsaPp call verification code from this number 0813 706 4590 plz help i knw whatsapp code number is sent fromwhatsapp and the call is number more the above number
Hi Frank,
Please ignore the messages receive from that number and use an antivirus for your mobile device: https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/solutions/android-antivirus/
Thanks for your comment!
Best regards,
Panda Security.
So since I don’t use my phone for nothing but facebook, txts, music and basic internet searches other social media and basic phone functions… I don’t even have a bank account, would you say I’m relatively safe? Granted with the help of your tips and and common sense, of course.
Hi Niinya!
There are also online threats that you can receive via texting, downloading music or using Facebook. The best advice is to avoid downloading content on your phone or clicking on dubious links, especially if you don’t have an antivirus installed. Check Mobile Security to protect your phone: https://www.pandasecurity.com/es/homeusers/solutions/android-antivirus/
Best regards,
Panda Security.
yes someone enter my mobile and receive sms verification code then he call and send sms to get the code what will happen? if he get the code.
Now men from Nigeria are scamming woman out of money. They claim to be in love but not long after they give you a hard luck story they begin asking for money. Please be aware ladys
Hi this exact thing did happen to me it started when I changed my profile picture. A friend said not bad for a cougar! I comented on Facebook. Shortly after this man said his name was
MOORE BROWN. did the I love you asked me all kinds of personal info. Then started saying he needed money. I kept saying no. He got very angry and became very abusive. I started to realize that this was a person trying to scam me. I told him i was going to report him to the CA law. Then I said loose my #. He only texted no phone calls..i do have a # from Nigeria and have deleted his photos he sent me in a Catholic cathedral in Nigeria all in real gold. This was August. Just in October I am the social security payee of this person. I started to realize that this payee acct which i am the primary on the acct was being compromised for $9.95 Oct to January then Feb for $39.99 I immediately called the fraud unit at the back. They just the other day on the 19th of February credited this acct. For $79.75. Now in the first of Feb iv been getting about 20 emails from all different people telling me i need to respond to get thousands of dollars from Nigeria Africa FedEx needs my address western union has money waiting to go claim and pick up with my Id. Help!! Thank you please
New scam ……. Nigerian men scamming money from unsuspecting wemon. Please be aware
Thanks for letting us know, Collman!
Follow our instructions to not fall on this and other scams.
Thanks for reading us!
Kind regards,
Panda Security.
Hi
I got one voice call on whats up saying you won lottery on my whats app number. she send me one other number asking me to add to my contact list and give a voice call on that number. I refused to do it. she asked for my other number. I have provided on which i am not using internet and whats app. she send one message on my second number with message detail whats app code. unfortunately I have given it. Just I want to know that is there any chances of any fraud? if yes, what should I do??? Please advise…..
As of now I have uninstalled my whats app and deleted my account.
my message says // ANDROID:message from 18625792465 mmsn, e0986f68d65,4ec6,v67ephrkp+d//cm looked the number up because i also have same thing but a dif number and they are scam numbers what is this
So is a 360 # from Nigeria? Is this a scam? Can the person access anything on my phone and in my accounts because he now has my mobile number? I have an iPhone. Is there antivirus for that?
Linda Martini,
I was wondering the same thing and found a YouTube news clip where a reporter investigated a scam that just someone having your number is enough for them to hack your account and then port your number so they control the account and lock you out. Then they have access to an incoming alerts from services pertaining to your finances.
I do not have WhatsApp, but I am wondering why whenever someone online offering advice through email or just chatting via Facebook, insists on moving the conversation to WhatsApp.
If I am chatting with them through Facebook Messenger or simply an email exchange, then I do not see the reason to use WhatsApp, but they persist and actually become aggressive with it.
Does just using WhatsApp somehow give others any information about you that they can abuse to hack your account and steal sensitive information, financial or otherwise?
Below is something that I found on YouTube, but this guy plasters his ads on Facebook, Pinterest, and Google, too.
They prey on desperate, innocent people with spiritual promises, but insist you contact them on WhatsApp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPnNQsEeUpc
I recently lost everything. All my money, credit cards, debit cards and ID. I cant even get into my own house. Luckily, I didnt lose my phone. My friend just texted me saying I left my keys and wallet in her car.
“Every little thing, is gonna be alright.”
This article is incorrect with regards to:
“To avoid falling into the new WhatsApp fraud, you should keep in mind that voice calls are only available for Android phones.”
I have both an HTC Windows 8.1x phone and a Lumia 950XL Windows 10 phone. Both phones function properly via WhatsApp Voice.
I have been using WhatsApp for years from the same number, and suddenly I received new verification code. Why? I just ignored it.
I was romance scammed over a three yeae period I need to report this to authorities it was 70000 dollars
I have been using WhatsApp for years from the same number, and suddenly I received new verification code. Why? I just ignored it.
Thank you so much my brother or sister
I once received a message from an unknown person when he said “You are going to receive a verifcation code message in seconds,incase you receive please send” My question to him was like how earth can u use my number?he didnt reply me from that time upto now
I had meet a guy in tinder and asked me to talk via whatsapp I accepted. We have chatted, but also he makes call with a lot of backround noices and sometimes he calls and hangs up fast. it is very wired, he of course. the area code is 908
hi! I received a whatsupp message from unknown chinese number saying that by a mistake he send his verification digit to my number and if i could send it to him when i receive it.
Its a scam, right?
You can only send verification to your own number you can’t sent it to someone else so it’s your numbers verification if you get it. Set a security code inside settings so even if you did the mistake of sending such they do not have your security code and you will not lose your account.
Hello I’M Idah I’M asking my whatsapp please and all my information i was lost like what’s up photo,video,document,please
Hi just received two voice whatsapp calls from +33 6 52 61 01 59. Don’t know the number and no message left, but did ignore it. Is it a scam call?