WhatsApp Scam Targeting Unsuspecting Parents The 'current Weapon Of Choice' For Fraudsters

The number of WhatsApp scams has doubled this year, with scammers posing as family members and friends. Scammers pretend to be a loved one, usually a son or daughter, and claim they need help bailing out.

According to an analysis by Lloyds Bank, criminals are looking for prey on WhatsApp. So far this year, there have been twice as many cases per month as in 2021, with victims now losing an average of £1,610.

Impersonating HMRC has been one of the most popular scams used by fraudsters in recent years, but such incidents have fallen by 85% in the first half of this year. And almost all scams now start online, on social media, or through phone calls or texts.

How do WhatsApp cheats work?

Scammers usually send the same basic message to different phone numbers, hoping to get a response. As soon as someone answers, they claim to be a family member, usually a son or daughter who lost the phone and got a replacement.

This gives them an excuse to have a different phone number and means they don't have to know anyone by name, just 'mum' or 'dad' can be enough. The story they tell may vary, but generally they claim it's a new phone, they don't have access to the internet or a mobile bank account, so they need help paying immediately.

Victims are then required to wire money to an account controlled by the scammers. This type of scam is not limited to WhatsApp but can be done through other social media channels as well.

Liz Ziegler, director of fraud prevention at Lloyds Bank, says: “Fraudsters will stop at nothing to defraud victims and steal their hard-earned money. The growth of the WhatsApp scandal over the past year shows how quickly these ruthless organized crime rings can adapt. Their trick is when they think they can make more money doing something else.

“It's important that people know the warning signs and how to stay safe. Never trust a message from an unknown number. even if someone tells you they lost their phone, call the original number you saved to confirm.

“Fraud is the number one crime in the UK today and banks cannot fight it alone, so stopping fraud must be a shared responsibility. It is critical that governments, law enforcement agencies, and major technology and social media companies play their part in combating the ruthless networks that perpetrate this crime.”

This way you stay safe

Be wary of messages you receive from numbers that are no longer in your contacts, even if they appear to be from someone you know.

Do not rush. first contact the number saved in your contacts to verify if the story is true

If you can't get in touch with them, you can verify the identity of the sender by insisting that you speak to them before transferring any money.

Remember, if it's a real family member or friend, they won't mind taking these steps to stay safe.

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