WhatsApp is one of the most popular communication platforms in the digital age — and a prime target for fraudsters. Fake job offers, identity theft, phishing links, lottery scams, and investment fraud occur daily. A single click can compromise your data and drain your bank account. Experts say knowing how to recognize suspicious messages can prevent most scams.
Treat any message from an unknown number with suspicion, especially if it contains flattery, attractive job offers, promises of large earnings, or urgent requests for help. Scammers often initiate conversations by pretending to have sent a message to the wrong number or posing as recruiters. The safest response is to block and report the number without replying.
Never click links from unknown senders. Even links from known contacts should be verified first. No bank or government agency asks you to log in or provide personal information via WhatsApp links.
Never share OTPs with anyone — no legitimate institution requests them via WhatsApp. Similarly, never agree to screen-sharing during calls, as it exposes banking apps, passwords, and sensitive information.
A common recent scam involves fraudsters messaging from a new number claiming to be a family member in urgent need of money. Always call the person at their known number to verify before sending funds.
To report suspicious numbers: open the chat, tap the name, scroll down, and select ‘Report.’ You can also block the number simultaneously.
For stronger protection, adjust WhatsApp settings: restrict profile photo, status, and last-seen visibility to contacts only; enable ‘Silence Unknown Callers’; and activate two-step verification with a six-digit PIN under Account settings.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report