How to react and what to do if a stranger writes to you on WhatsApp

You’ve probably received a message on WhatsApp from someone you haven’t added. This is becoming more and more common, and the truth is that they’re not always what they seem.

It has become a playground for scammers And one of the tactics you have surely already encountered is initiating contact with the victim through a message sent from another country and from prefixes such as +62 —Indonesia—, +685 —Western Samoa— or +27 —South Africa—, among others.

Unless you know someone there, you can be sure that this is a scam attempt. Keep in mind that the geographic distance makes it difficult to trace the crime.

How to react and what to do if a stranger writes to you on WhatsApp

Of course, this could also include all those strange numbers that directly try to contact you with a simple “Hello” or that make you an offer that they consider irresistible.

In recent months, authorities have detected an increase in scams through this application, So it doesn’t hurt to be vigilant and know how to act to avoid falling into them..

1. Don’t reply to the message: Replying to the message only tells the scammer that your number is active and may be a potential target. Ignoring the message is the best way to be left alone, as they do this en masse and you are not the only target..
2. Report the message to WhatsApp: You can report a suspicious message from within the app itself. To do so, open the chat, tap on the contact’s name and select “Report.” This will help WhatsApp identify and remove fraudulent accounts.
3. Block the contact: Once you have reported the message, block the contact so they cannot write to you again.
4. Be careful with the information you send: never share personal or bank account information with someone you don’t know and trust, even if they write to you on WhatsApp.
5. Report it if you’ve already fallen for it: If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it to the authorities. You can also contact your bank or credit card company to inform them of the situation.

Considering that anyone can have bad intentions if they contact you via WhatsApp and you don’t know who is hiding behind a number that you don’t have saved in your address book, be absolutely suspicious of everything they tell you.

For example, offers that are too good to be true: If someone offers you an amazing job, promises you easy money, or gives you something for free, it’s probably a scam.

Of course, don’t click on any links they send you. If you don’t know who it is, don’t even bother following the conversation. If it’s someone important or someone you know in real life, it’s normal for them to identify themselves..

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Tags: Apps, Data, WhatsApp, Cybersecurity