7 WhatsApp scams that can empty your bank account:Beware of fake rewards, challans other surprises fraudsters use

Imagine receiving a WhatsApp message saying that ₹5,000 has been deducted from your bank account. The message asks you to reply ‘NO’ if you did not make the transaction. You panic, follow the instructions, and end up interacting with a fraudster instead of protecting your money. With WhatsApp being widely used for everyday communication in India, cybercriminals are finding new ways to exploit people’s trust in the platform. The aim is often to steal personal information, gain access to accounts, or convince victims to transfer money. Here are seven common WhatsApp scams to watch out for and the steps you can take to protect yourself. 1. Fake bank transaction alert scam: The ‘Reply NO’ trap Such messages are designed to create panic and make people act without checking whether the information is genuine. Fraudsters may use alarming messages to start a conversation, send malicious links, or persuade victims to call a fraudulent customer care number. How can you stay safe? Do not rely on a WhatsApp message to verify a bank transaction. Open your bank’s official app or check your account through its verified banking channels. If you notice an unauthorised transaction, contact your bank immediately. Simply replying ‘NO’ is not known to automatically install malware on a phone. However, you should avoid interacting with suspicious messages or following any instructions they contain. 2. WhatsApp screen-sharing scam: How fraudsters can watch your banking activity Scammers may pose as bank officials or customer support agents and ask users to share their phone screens on a WhatsApp video call to resolve a supposed security issue. This can expose sensitive information, including banking activity and OTPs displayed on the screen, which fraudsters may misuse to attempt financial fraud. How can you stay safe? Never share your phone screen with an unknown caller who claims to be fixing a banking or account-related problem. If someone pressures you to act immediately, disconnect the call and contact the organisation through its official customer support channel. 3. WhatsApp ghost pairing scam: Someone else could access your account Scammers may pose as friends or customer support agents and trick users into linking their WhatsApp accounts to an unknown device by sharing a code or scanning a QR code. Once linked, the device may allow fraudsters to access chats and impersonate victims to contact their friends and relatives with fraudulent money requests. How can you stay safe? Do not scan suspicious QR codes or approve unfamiliar linking requests. Regularly check WhatsApp’s Linked Devices section and log out any device you do not recognise. Enable two-step verification to add another layer of security to your account. 4. Fake traffic challan scam/traffic violation notice: Pay a fine through a fraudulent link Have you received a WhatsApp message claiming that you have an unpaid traffic challan and must pay it immediately to avoid a penalty? Fraudsters send WhatsApp messages posing as traffic police or government authorities, claiming that an unpaid challan must be settled immediately. These messages may contain fake payment links or malicious APK files. Clicking the links and entering banking details or installing suspicious apps can expose users to financial fraud and data theft. How can you stay safe? Do not pay a challan simply because a WhatsApp message demands immediate action. Verify the details through the official government e-challan portal or your state’s traffic police website. Also read: India’s Sarvam to build AI tools for Army and Navy: Project will develop technology for military operations and training under a 5-year deal

5. Fake bank reward points scam: An offer that could cost you money Festive seasons often bring special offers, cashback deals, and reward programmes. Scammers take advantage of this by sending WhatsApp messages claiming that customers have unused bank reward points that are about to expire. For example, a message may pretend to come from the State Bank of India (SBI) and offer users an opportunity to redeem reward points for cash or gifts. The message may contain a link to a fake banking website or ask users to download an application. The website could request sensitive details such as account information, card details, passwords or OTPs. How can you stay safe? Never enter your banking credentials or share an OTP through a link received from an unknown WhatsApp number. 6. Fake wedding invitation scam: Think twice before downloading an attachment A wedding invitation from a friend or relative may not seem suspicious, especially during India’s busy wedding season. In this scam, fraudsters send an invitation through WhatsApp as an APK file, which is an Android application package. They may encourage the recipient to download and install it to view the invitation. If the file contains malware, installing it could expose information stored on the phone or give the attacker access to certain device functions, depending on the permissions granted and the malware involved. How can you stay safe? Do not install APK files received through WhatsApp from unknown or unverified sources. If the invitation appears to come from someone you know, contact them separately to confirm whether they sent it. 7. WhatsApp impersonation scam: When a familiar name asks for money A message from a friend, relative, or senior colleague asking for urgent financial help can be difficult to ignore. Scammers exploit this trust by creating WhatsApp accounts using another person’s name and profile picture. They may pretend to be a family member who needs money urgently, a colleague requesting a payment, or a senior executive asking an employee to complete a transaction. Because the profile looks familiar, victims may transfer money without checking whether the request is genuine. In a reported case, fraudsters impersonated former Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral and allegedly tricked a senior finance official at his company into transferring ₹7.8 crore through multiple transactions. Such incidents show how impersonation can lead to significant financial losses, particularly when victims are pressured to act quickly. Also read: Apple’s foldable iPhone faces screen-crack complaints: Hinge design under scrutiny; AppleCare promises replacements

How can you stay safe? Always verify an unexpected request for money, even if it comes from a familiar name or profile picture. Call the person using their usual phone number or confirm the request through another trusted channel. A WhatsApp message can look convincing without being genuine. Whether it promises a bank reward, warns about a transaction, or demands payment for a traffic challan, take a moment to verify the information before acting. Never share OTPs, PINs, passwords, or banking details with anyone, and remember that urgency is often a tool scammers use to make you lower your guard.