Beware of WhatsApp scam
WhatsApp scam could cost users hundreds without them knowing.
A WhatsApp scam has hit South Africa and could cost gullible users R7 a day, which amounts to around R200 a month.
The scam’s link is sent to people from a Wireless Service Application Provider or WASP via sms. The sms misleadingly reads: “You have not updated to the latest WhatsApp add-ons” followed by a link that leads to the fake and expensive WhatsApp download page.
The site looks similar to the legitimate WhatsApp site and as on the original site, there is a big green button that reads “continue”. Below the button in a less visible grey font it states that this version of WhatsApp is a subscription service that costs R7 a day.
According to Mweb and Hoax-Slayer the scam is legal as the site that is responsible for it discloses that the subscription has a fee. What makes this scam particularly cunning is that the R7 deducted from the a cellphone account is not easily noticeable, it may take users a while before they notice that they are subscribed to the scam.
But, all is not lost if one has mistakenly subscribed to this service, there is a way to opt out.
How to unsubscribe:
• Cell C: Dial *133*1#
• MTN: Dial *141*5#
• Vodacom: Send an sms to 30333 with “STOP ALL” in the body.
WhatApp users are urged to update their WhatsApp from the official application store. Smart phone users will be notified by their respective stores about any updates that need to be installed.
For BlackBerry, it will be through BlackBerry World, Android through Google Play, ISO through Apple App Store, and Nokia through Ovi Store.
