All WhatsApp users are hereby alerted that new a WhatsApp scam is doing rounds which try to charge the users using the instant messenger. As per the source of Cybersecurity Insiders, hackers are circulating fake text messages which warn recipients that the subscription of their messenger service has run out and users need to follow a set of instructions to receive a lifetime subscription.
In reality, the subscription text message is a hoax and is simply being circulated by cyber criminals to earn money by tricking people. It’s actually a kind of scam through which thousands of WhatsApp users have been victimized.
The message reads out as follows- “ Ur Subscription has expired. To verify your account and purchase a lifetime subscription for just 0.99 USD simply tap on this link”.
Also the message has a link which opens up a webpage, where the user needs to sign up for the service by entering not only their name and contact number but also their bank details. And here’s when the cyber crooks are making merry. They are using those sign-in details to steal money from the victim accounts.
Traditionally, WhatsApp did charge 0.99 cents after the first year of its service use in 2011. But now, the Facebook-owned messaging subsidiary has made its service completely free to all its 65 million active users.
The other malicious side of this ongoing WhatsApp scam is that users are also receiving malware as soon as they click on the link attached to the text message. Means, the web page which opens up on the user’s phone is not only capable of notoriously taking financial credentials, but also auto-downloads a malware which can be used by scamsters at any later stage of this year for malicious activities.
In last weekend, Facebook issued a warning which said that users should immediately delete that message as soon as they receive and if in case, they already clicked on the link should run anti-virus software for sure.
Hope, all WhatsApp users who receive the said message from now follow as said by the social media giant!
