I have received several messages in the past on WhatsApp, coming from friends, and asking me to perform a certain tasks or visit a link otherwise my account would be blocked. I've actually learnt to disregard such messages since they are scams or hoaxes.
I'm sure you too have received such messages in the past. It's not new because WhatsApp continues to be hit with many of such hoaxes and scams, and the latest could be one of the most dangerous especially to novice users. This is because it could download a virus to your phones and even steal your information.
The good thing is that there are ways you can deal with these scams and stay safe.
Avoiding WhatsApp Scams
In order to do this you have to avoid any message from your email apps alerting you that you have missed a WhatsApp voice call or voice message, prompting you to click a link to access the missed messages. The truth is that instead of receiving a message by following the link provided you will end up downloading a virus to your phone.
Why you should never be fooled by such messages is that WhatsApp does not reach out to anyone through emails because your email was never asked for during registration on the platform. Where the sender of such messages get your email from is a topic for another day. Therfore, in order to stay clear of such scams, do not click any whatsapp-related message that comes thru your email app.
Another popular hoaxes targeting WhatsApp users is a message you receive on your WhatsApp and that you have to re-forward the same message to 10 or so of your WhatsApp contact, failure to which will see your account getting blocked from WhatsApp service. Some could even include that your WhatsApp colour would change to blue once the given task is completed. Do not pay attention to such. It's purely false.
You could also also get messages suggesting that since WhatsApp has too many users it will close down your account if you do not start using it actively. One of such messages may include names of certain persons as the CEO of WhatsApp in order to gain some credibility. Don't be fooled by this because it's nothing but scam.
WhatsApp is clearly aware of all these scams and as such included in the Frequently Asked Questions statements to alert and guide users on its platform.
Read the developers' reply to I received a strange message. Is it true?
Whatever form the messages come to you, be careful and know that any changes whatsoever on the usage of WhatsApp will first be announced on the official websites and other credible websites.
Credits: Neurogadget
Credits: Neurogadget
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