WhatsApp scams are unfortunately becoming more and more frequent these days. People with bad intentions use the app as a means of setting traps, knowing that it is one of the most used.
Simple habits of a user that may seem harmless can actually be a step for opportunists to use information against you. Therefore, it is important that you pay attention to everything you do with your application With that in mind, we have prepared some tips to help you stay alert and avoid falling for any type of scam.
Don't click on any link that appears.
One of the most common things that appear are links. Most of them are aimed at promotions, discounts and exclusive sales opportunities with the best prices. If you realize what they are about, don't open them! This is probably a WhatsApp scam. They post this content because they know that these are things that attract people since they need them. From the moment you open them, hackers can get your personal data and you will be at risk.
Still, donation links are also widely used by scammers, taking advantage of your goodwill. In addition to the money being diverted for other purposes, your CPF (Individual Taxpayer Registry) may be vulnerable to them, who can make purchases and take out loans from there.
Don't pay attention to chains
Chain messages appear quite insistently on the app, and it is also not a good idea to pay attention to them. Most of them come with content about companies that are offering products and offers to those who create and pass on the chain message so that other people can be reached. and fall for the WhatsApp scam too.
Don't be naive, stores and commercial establishments will only do this to their customers and only through their official websites. Furthermore, as we have already said, even unintentionally, from the moment you pass this on to other people, you are helping to spread the scam as well.
Don't believe the promotions offered
As we always say here, promotions are without a doubt the most common method used for WhatsApp scams. With so much debt accumulated and needing to buy a lot of things, discount offers on products will always be the best option for you and the worst thing is that scammers know this!
If you need to buy something and want promotions on it, go directly to the websites of the commercial establishments, there you can rest assured and make your purchases safely.
Contact the companies
If you still like the offers you saw and don't know if they are real or not, contact the customer service center of the company that was linked to the link. Most of the service is available 24 hours a day and can be obtained either in person at their stores, or by phone, apps, or even social media.
First, make sure that it is true or not. It may take a few minutes, but it will be crucial for you to have complete security and not be fooled by WhatsApp scams.
Do not give out your personal information
Never, under any circumstances, pass on your personal information through any application to resolve issues that you don't even know where they come from. From the moment you do this, you are taking big steps towards falling for WhatsApp scams.
Your information, such as your CPF (Individual Taxpayer Registry) and RG (General Registry) documents, contain very valuable information and are all that scammers need to trap you. Many even ask for your bank account number and credit card password. If you see this, get out as quickly as you can.
The same things that these people claim to offer you can also be offered by other commercial establishments and financial institutions. When in doubt, always choose them. With reliable companies, your personal information and documentation will only be requested to identify your profile and will not be used for any other purpose.
Never download unknown apps
Unknown apps are not trustworthy. If you don't know what they are and they don't have a protection certificate from the Play Store, this raises suspicions. When you download such apps, you can bring viruses to your phone. For example, if you have an app from the bank that provides you with services, these hackers can access it and get the information they need. Or if you have a credit card app, your password can be hacked and purchases can be made from there.
Furthermore, with these WhatsApp scams, your cell phone can become frozen and slow to perform the activities it does.
Do not respond to people you do not know.
You may respond to strangers because you think that if they got your number, it means they can be trusted. But don't be fooled, getting your number is the least of the scammers' worries.
You may also think that replying to them won't hurt, since it's not often that users who don't know you send you messages. However, when you receive them, try not to log in, because once you do that, it can be crucial to getting scammed on WhatsApp. If possible, delete the conversation and that's it!
Always be aware of who is sending you messages
Pay attention to who is sending you messages, companies and financial institutions do not always bother to hire private WhatsApp services to inform anything, most of the time their official Instagram, Facebook, YouTube accounts do the job.
If you see that it is not trustworthy, avoid contact, no matter how much lip service there may be in the conversation.
We are sure that by paying attention to our tips and starting to use them, you will not fall for any WhatsApp scams. Still, it is important that you pass on this knowledge to other people so that they are not deceived either.
Article produced by the team at kotaazul.com.br
