WHATSAPP SCAMS

The fraudsters have used the WhatsApp platform in many ways to catch out unsuspecting victims, probably the best-known trick used was the “Hi Mum/Dad, I’ve lost my phone …..” version but there are several others.

Recent research has shown that victims in the UK have lost more money through WhatsApp than their European counterparts. Not only have 1 in 5 of all reported frauds in the UK have been through WhatsApp, but also this type of Fraud has increased significantly in the last year.

So what other types of WhatsApp Frauds are there?

FAKE OFFERS

These come in the form of vouchers and fake offers of free products where you are directed to a false website to complete a survey to gain your personal information. They may also ask to you to reshare the link to your own contacts.

        Check out the link address before clicking on it, and never trust unsolicited “Too good to be True offers”.

EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT GROUPS

 Criminals can create large groups of members  to offer “free financial advice” and then pose as a group member using a fake        profile. They then state they are sending a one-time passcode over and ask the member to share that Passcode which then gives them access to the victims account. The fraudster can then impersonate that victim and defraud other Group members.

As before, beware of unsolicited requests.

VERIFICATION CODES

If a Fraudster already knows your phone number, they can use this to login to WhatsApp, which sends off a genuine text message with a verification code. They then impersonate one of the victim’s contacts with a plausible story and persuade the victim to pass on the Verification code.

So never give out any verification codes to anyone else

FAKE JOB OFFERS

These will come as out of the blue offering non-existent jobs requiring low qualifications and offering tempting salaries. They may also appear to come from bona fide recruitment agencies. They may ask you to pay a joining fee or pay for equipment and more than likely ask you for personal details so they can steal your identity.   

The simple solution is never engage with unsolicited job offers by text or WhatsApp and only use the services of reputable and registered recruitment agencies.            

HOW TO REPORT WHATSAPP SCAMS

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

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If you’ve fallen for fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Fake Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.