Being contacted out of the blue by strangers on WhatsApp can be disturbing and confusing. Unfortunately, it’s become an increasingly common occurrence as scammers and spammers take advantage of WhatsApp’s popularity and openness.
What’s behind the random WhatsApp calls?
There are a few potential reasons why you may be receiving these mystery calls:
- Wrong numbers – Sometimes people simply misdial a number or their contacts sync incorrectly, resulting in a call to the wrong person.
- Scammers – Fraudsters often use autodialing programs to call thousands of random numbers in hopes of catching unaware victims. This is especially common with various tech support and impersonation scams.
- Robocalls – Spam callers use autodialers to deliver prerecorded messages en masse. While less common on WhatsApp than traditional voice calls, robocalls can occasionally find their way onto the platform.
- Spam lists – Your phone number may have ended up on a list utilized by spammers to make unwanted calls and messages. These can be sold between shady telemarketers and scammers.
- Wrong inputs – Some WhatsApp users accidentally enter the wrong number which results in a misdirected call.
Why do scammers and spammers use WhatsApp?
WhatsApp provides an ideal medium for fraudsters and scammers for several reasons:
- Popularity – WhatsApp has over 2 billion users worldwide, giving criminals easy access to potential targets.
- Trust – People tend to trust communication over WhatsApp more than a traditional voice call or SMS from an unknown number.
- Global reach – WhatsApp uses an internet connection, allowing scammers to easily call users across international borders.
- Difficult to trace – Calls made over WhatsApp are harder to track and block compared to regular phone numbers.
- Automation – Services exist that allow spammers to automate WhatsApp messaging and calling to thousands of numbers.
By leveraging these advantages, scammers can cast a wider net and ensnare more victims. Even if a small percentage of recipients are fooled, it can still result in a worthwhile payout.
Common WhatsApp scam calls
Some of the most prevalent scam calls being made over WhatsApp include:
Tech support scams
The caller claims to be from a well-known tech company such as Apple or Microsoft. They report that your device has been compromised by a virus or hacking attempt. The scammer offers to fix the imaginary threat if given remote access to your device and/or credit card information.
Loan and debt scams
The scammer pretends to be a representative of a financial institution and offers an urgent loan or debt relief deal. They ask for an upfront “processing fee” to secure the fake loan.
Romance scams
The caller builds a relationship with you over continued WhatsApp exchanges. Once trust is established, they ask you to send money to help with claimed emergencies or expenses.
Business scams
A supposed corporate executive contacts you regarding a lucrative investment or business partnership opportunity. They eventually ask for an “investment” to secure the deal.
Impersonation scams
The caller poses as a family member or friend claiming to be in urgent financial need. Relying on personal information gleaned from social media, they ask you to send money to help.
Prize and lottery scams
You are informed that you’ve won a contest or lottery you never entered. To claim the non-existent prize, you must pay various “taxes and fees”.
| Scam Type | Tactics Used |
|---|---|
| Tech support scam | Claim device compromised, offer security fixes |
| Loan scam | Offer urgent loans or debt relief |
| Romance scam | Build relationship, request money for “emergencies” |
| Business scam | Offer lucrative investments or partnerships |
| Impersonation scam | Pretend to be a friend/family in need |
| Prize/lottery scam | Claim you won a prize and request fees |
How to avoid WhatsApp scam calls
Here are some tips to help avoid falling victim to a scam call on WhatsApp:
- Be wary of unknown callers – Let calls from numbers not in your contacts go to voicemail.
- Watch for urgent demands – Scammers typically pressure you to act immediately to secure a deal or avoid a (fake) penalty.
- Don’t provide sensitive info – Never give out financial information, passwords, or remote access to your device.
- Verify identities – Confirm the caller’s identity by hanging up and calling back a number you find independently.
- Trust your instincts – If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Report spam – Use WhatsApp’s reporting tools to report suspicious numbers.
- Install a spam call blocker – Apps can identify and block known scam numbers.
- Register on the Do Not Call list – Reduce unwanted calls by listing your number on the National and state Do Not Call registries.
Being proactive is your best defense against the growing threat of WhatsApp scam calls. A combination of savvy precautions and technical tools can help shield you from most fraud attempts.
What to do if you answer a WhatsApp scam call
If you do happen to answer a suspected scam call on WhatsApp, here are some recommended steps:
- Don’t engage – The less information you provide, the better. Avoid answering the caller’s questions.
- Hang up – End the call as quickly as possible. Scammers can use more engagement time against you.
- Block the number – Go into WhatsApp’s settings to block the caller so they can’t contact you again.
- Report the call – File an abuse report with WhatsApp so they can potentially deactivate the scammer’s account.
- Contact your bank – If you did happen to share financial information or make a payment, contact your bank right away.
- Change passwords – If remote access was given, change passwords on all accounts immediately.
- Warn contacts – Alert friends and family in your contacts about the scam attempt.
Conclusion
Receiving a call from an unknown number on WhatsApp can be unsettling, but being armed with information helps one stay safe. By understanding common scam tactics, exercising caution, and using blocking tools, WhatsApp users can better protect themselves from random calls. Remaining alert and proactive is the key to avoiding the financial and personal risks posed by the growing prevalence of WhatsApp scams.