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Scammers use various tactics to lure people into their traps and WhatsApp is one of their favorite platforms to target people. If you aren’t careful, you could be a victim of a phishing scam. Here’s how I handle these deceptive messages.
Don’t Respond to the Message or Click Links
Whenever I receive a scam message on WhatsApp, my first instinct is not to respond to it. Responses confirm to the scammer that your number is active, so they can continue to target you with more scams.
If the message contains a link, avoid clicking on it or downloading any attachments. Even if it’s from someone you know, confirm with them first.
These messages could be phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so ignore and delete these messages immediately.
Block the Sender
In some cases, scammers may continue to send messages even if you don’t respond. When this happens, I block the sender to stop further contact.
Blocking a sender on WhatsApp is simple—just open the chat window, tap their name or number at the top, and select Block. Alternatively, you can press and hold the chat on your chat list and choose Block from there.
Give a reason for blocking the sender and tap Block again. It’ll delete all previous messages from that sender, so you won’t be tempted to reply or click on links later.
Report the Message
I also report the message to WhatsApp. This assists in tracking scammers and preventing them from targeting more users.
To report a message, open the chat window, tap the sender’s name or number at the top, and select Report > Report and block. This will also block the sender’s number, so you won’t have to do it separately.
The last 5 messages in the chat will be sent to WhatsApp for review. After submitting the report, WhatsApp will investigate and take necessary actions accordingly.
Scammers continually devise new tactics to target users. It’s crucial to recognize WhatsApp spam and protect your personal information. Stay vigilant and refrain from sharing sensitive details or clicking on dubious links. Furthermore, you can enhance WhatsApp security by enabling two-step verification and hiding your online status from unknown contacts.