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WhatsApp Scam Tricks Users Into Paying Charges Citing 'Subscription Expired'

WhatsApp Scam Tricks Users Into Paying Charges Citing 'Subscription Expired'

By Gadgets 360 Staff With Agency Inputs | Updated: 2 June 2017 11:53 IST

Highlights

WhatsApp scam aims to trick users into paying subscription charges
WhatsApp became free last year, dropping its annual subscription fee
Users are asked to pay GBP 0.99 to continue using WhatsApp

Another day, another WhatsApp scam, this time one that tries to trick users into paying charges by saying their WhatsApp subscription has expired. WhatsApp, of course, is free to use, and has been for some time, though the service used to charge a nominal amount as annual subscription fee when it had initially launched. It seems the latest WhatsApp scam is playing on this distant memory of its users to try and extract some money.

How the WhatsApp subscription expired scam works

"People are being targeted by a message that reads 'your subscription has expired, and to verify your account and purchase a lifetime subscription for just 0.99 GBP simply tap on this link'," Independent.co.uk reported.

By encouraging people to click on the suspicious link, scam artists are tricking people into providing their payment details. People who have received the WhatsApp message should delete it immediately.

WhatsApp users should be on the lookout as scam artists are trying to charge users for using the instant messenger by faking a subscription fee.

Like we mentioned earlier, WhatsApp is free to download and use, but used to charge a small fee several years ago which no longer exists.

In case you have clicked on the link, safeguard yourself by running an antivirus software on your device to ensure you not being infected with malware.

Users can also also block the sender, so that they can no longer message or call you through WhatsApp.

WhatsApp for Android recent update

WhatsApp recently updated its Android app to bring the pinned chats feature to everyone. WhatsApp's pinned chat feature lets users ping their favourite contacts to the top, which means you reach them quickly even if you haven't been in touch via WhatsApp recently.

Written with inputs from IANS

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