The number of spam calls and messages on WhatsApp has seen a significant surge in recent days, leading to a rise in scams and financial losses for unsuspecting users. Reports from across the country reveal that many individuals have fallen victim to these fraudulent activities, losing substantial amounts of money. One such case involved a resident of Chandigarh who lost lakhs of rupees after clicking on an unknown link received through the messaging platform. As a result, his phone was hacked, and approximately Rs 17 lakh was stolen from his account.
While WhatsApp is taking steps to address this issue and mitigate spam and fraud on its platform, users must also take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Here are some essential tips to protect oneself on WhatsApp:
1. Activate two-step verification:
Enhance the security of your WhatsApp account by enabling the two-step verification feature. This additional layer of protection requires a six-digit PIN whenever your account needs verification or resetting, safeguarding against phishing attacks.
2. Block and report suspicious accounts:
If you receive messages from unknown senders requesting unusual information or making strange demands, reach out to the relevant organization or person directly for clarification. Avoid sharing personal information or sending money. Utilize WhatsApp’s blocking and reporting feature to prevent scams. Additionally, refrain from answering calls from unknown numbers and promptly block and report any suspicious accounts.
3. Adjust group privacy settings:
Exercise control over who can add you to WhatsApp groups by adjusting the privacy settings and group invite system. If you encounter a questionable group chat, leave the group and report it.
4. Manage privacy settings:
Take charge of your personal information visibility on WhatsApp. Customize who can view your profile photo and online status—choose between everyone, select contacts, or no one. Maintain privacy by limiting who can see your online presence. Share personal details only with trusted contacts for added protection.
5. Monitor linked devices:
Regularly check the list of devices linked to your WhatsApp account. If you come across any unfamiliar devices, immediately log out. If you suspect unauthorized access via WhatsApp Web/Desktop, log out from all computers using your phone.
6. Exercise caution with unknown links:
Exercise caution when dealing with unknown links received on WhatsApp. Beware of scammers employing fake phishing links. Before responding to suspicious texts or requests, pause and evaluate their legitimacy. Avoid clicking on unverified links. Remember, offers that appear too good to be true are often fraudulent.
7. Safeguard personal information:
Given our daily reliance on the internet for various transactions, it is crucial to protect personal information and privacy. Avoid sharing sensitive details such as addresses, phone numbers, passwords, credit/debit card numbers, and bank account information.
WhatsApp users must remain vigilant to protect themselves from the increasing threat of spam and scams. By implementing these simple yet crucial safety measures, individuals can reduce their vulnerability to fraudulent activities and safeguard their financial well-being.