New WhatsApp scam can cause big money loss to you; just don't do this while chatting

Every day new instances of online scams are getting revealed. The trend to steal from people online has increased manifold and WhatsApp users are being targetted specifically because of the app's popularity. This gives scammers the opportunity to go after a massive number of users at the same time. Now, the latest scam targetting WhatsApp users looks to dupe them of money in their bank accounts. This scam, that was revealed by Russian security researchers at Kaspersky, is all about package deliveries from companies. Now, over the last 2 years, ever since the Coronavirus pandemic hit the world and lockdowns were imposed, everyone took to ordering products online. From medicines, food, furniture, electronic items to everything else, the trend to buy online has skyrocketed. No one wanted to leave their house and use cash as it carried a lot of risk. That mass population which is buying online is what cybercriminals are targetting.

How scammers do it? First of all, cybercriminals send messages to WhatsApp users saying they are from some notable delivery companies and that there are some packages that require to be delivered and that they should click on the links to complete the process or make a small payment to ensure delivery is made. Kaspersky says that people must never click on the links sent this way. They should try and remember if they had ordered anything, when they did it and what happened thereafter. Scammers take advantage of the fact that most people do not pay attention and click without thinking and then mindlessly keep providing their personal financial information to the fraudsters. The elderly are especially in danger.

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When they click on these fake links, they go to websites that ask for more information or for payment against delivery. Debit card, credit card, net banking details are asked for from the users. However, under no circumstance should anyone supply this sensitive information.

Kaspersky said, "Unexpected parcels requiring payment by the recipient remained one of the most common tricks this past quarter."

In effect, the safety of users' money lies very much in their own hands. They must never click on dodgy links (always check who it is from) and above all, even if they land on some website that looks like it belongs to some big social media company or bank, do not insert your usernames or passwords. And above all, do not provide your debit card details, especially the CVV number on any suspicious website.