Facebook-owned Whatsapp is the most popular messaging app in the world and is a favorite of many. People across the World use WhatsApp, as it is a great tool to stay in touch with friends and family. With WhatsApp, you can send and receive text messages, photos, videos, audio and voice messages. WhatsApp is even used for businesses. As Whatsapp has become very popular, fraudsters are targeting its users to steal money from bank accounts. So, Whatsapp users have been advised to stay careful while using this app.
See Also: How to keep your WhatsApp Safe?
This fraud takes place through the QR code scanner. Fraudsters send QR code via WhatsApp in the name of making payments and victims get trapped. There is a drastic rise in this scam and many people have lost their hard earned money to it.
Under the QR code scam, fraudsters approach people who are trying to sell used products on an online platform. Fraudsters contact sellers saying they are interested in buying the products which are posted online. Fraudsters also say they would transfer the amount and send a Quick Response (QR) code through Whatsapp and ask victims to scan this, to receive money to their bank accounts.
This is actually a collect request. In case you scan the QR code and enter the PIN, you are accepting the collect request sent by the fraudsters. As soon as you scan the QR code and enter the PIN, money gets deducted from your bank account.
In some cases, fraudsters send a WhatsApp message, stating you are the lucky winner of a lottery. If you respond to this message, you will be asked to scan the QR code sent through Whatsapp. Fraudsters say that the money will be deposited in your bank account if you scan the QR code. If you scan the code, you will be a victim of the QR code scam.
One thing you must always bear in mind is the QR code has to be scanned only to send money and not to receive it.
QR code scam takes place even while shopping online. Some online shopping portals return the money to your bank account on a purchase. Someone then calls posing as a customer care executive of the online shopping portal and asks you to make a payment through the QR code. The QR code will be sent to you via Whatsapp. When you scan this QR code your mobile gets attacked with malware. Fraudsters then steal your money from the bank account.
Not happy with a product or service? Just visit IndianMoney.com’s complaint portal IamCheated.com and post your issue. We’ll get in touch with the concerned entity and help you with the resolution. With an aim to spread awareness on fraudulent activities, we publish articles and videos on a regular basis. You can also publish reviews about companies on IamCheated.com.
