Our modern-day lifestyle has gone all digital and it’s not communication but other daily tasks as well for which we rely on online services. Buying goods has made payments also has been simplified with the availability of digital payments apps such as Paytm, GPay, and PhonePe. Even WhatsApp which is a popular instant messaging application has started offering services for online payments.
While this feature is quite handy for general users, cybercriminals are finding out loopholes to scam the masses. WhatsApp users have been the target of several such scams where they have lost money and even crucial personal information despite the high level of security. Now, WhatsApp users are being targeted by online scammers once again. What is the latest WhatsApp scam and what can you do to stay safe? Let’s find out:
New WhatsApp QR Code Scam: What Is It?
In the latest WhatsApp QR code scam, WhatsApp users are being shared QR codes for payments via cybercriminals and fraudsters using which money is wiped out using the customer’s bank account. Users are generally being targeted at online marketplaces where the payments are made online.
In some cases, these fraudsters also lure in a customer by offering them some form of scheme or additional discount offer on any product that they can avail of later after making the payment. The unaware user is then sent a fake QR code that deducts money from the user’s account itself.
How Can You Stay Protected From WhatsApp QR Code And Other Scam?
These scams are prevalent across major online marketplaces such as OLX and Quickr. If you are frequent with such online platforms, you must be aware that you are given bank details for money transfer to the seller. In some cases, you are also given a QR code so that you can send money. But if you are selling your own good, you will not be required to send any QR codes for payments.
If you are out in the marketplace to sell any of your products and the buyer is instead sending you a WQR code on WhatsApp instead of asking for one, this is a trick to rob you of your hard-earned money. In such cases, you must decline the request without thinking twice.
Also, whenever you are buying or selling goods at the online marketplace, do not share any crucial personal information, specifically bank OTPs with unknown or random users. Do not accept any QR code request on any of your digital wallet apps.
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