Big WhatsApp Scam Hits The UK, Lookout For Local Copycats
We will not tire talking about security until these kinds of online scams no longer get any takers. Especially when it involves WhatsApp which is popular in Zimbabwe.
In the UK fraudsters have been sending out fake vouchers as if from huge retailers, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Asda on WhatsApp.
The messages look like they are from an actual contact and are meant to trick you into clicking on a provided link
Here is an example of the WhatsApp messages being sent out,
Hello, ASDA is giving away £250 Free Voucher to celebrate 68th anniversary, go here to get it (here they insert the link to their bogus site)Enjoy and thanks me later !.
If one clicks on the link in an effort to claim the voucher they are taken to a fake website, obviously, where they will try to trick you into giving out your personal information.
You might be sitting there thinking, I would be safe because I do not type out my financial details online but you would not be as safe as you think. Of course, you need to be extra careful when a site requests your personal or financial information.
The only problem is that once you visit that fake site they can install cookies on your device with which they can track you. They can also add browser extensions that can be used to show you advertisements.
How do you stay safe?
The first rule of the internet is, ‘be very skeptical of everything.’ Your first thought, when presented with information on the internet, should be that it’s fake. This is especially true when it’s too good to be true.
The other golden rule is, ‘do not just casually click on links.’ It doesn’t matter that the link was shared with you by a friend. Here in Zimbabwe, this casual link clicking is a problem.
We covered much of what you need to do to stay safe online in another article when we discussed the fake CBZ emails that were being sent out. Go and read that article here for more information on how to protect yourself.
