Five WhatsApp features that can protect users from Diwali offer scams

The Diwali festive season has begun in India. Online shopping platforms are offering a flood of deals and discounts, on everything from smartphones to household goods. Scammers are also at work, looking for new ways to cheat people.

Scammers send users messages in the name of shopping platforms. These messages carry dangerous payment links. At times, fake APK files are also used to hack phones. Once a user falls into the trap, their bank account can be emptied in moments.

Most such scams are carried out through WhatsApp messages, so users should be careful before opening a message from any unknown number. Five WhatsApp features can help keep users safe from scammers.

The first is Silence Unknown Callers. It can be switched on to avoid WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers. Once it is on, the ring of a call from an unknown number will not be heard, and such calls will show in the call list. If you do not pick up, scammers cannot cheat you. To turn it on, go to WhatsApp settings, open the Privacy option and choose Calls. The Silence Unknown Callers feature appears there; switch it on.

The second is the set of details shown before a call is answered. WhatsApp claims that Android users will now see more information on screen about numbers not saved in their phonebook. This will show clearly whether the number is in a common group and whether it is an Indian number. Before starting a conversation, users will be able to tell whether the call is genuine or fake.

The third is two-step verification. It protects users from theft and hacking of any kind. It offers the option of a strong password in place of the old 6-digit PIN. Letters and special characters can also be used in this password.

The fourth is the context card. If a suspicious message from an unknown user claims a heavy discount or offer, the number can be blocked and reported. Users should remember not to click any link in the message or download any attachment. For such chats, context cards can give several kinds of information, such as whether the account was created recently, whether you share any common groups with the unknown number, which country the SIM card is from, and more.

The fifth is keeping watch on linked devices. Scammers sometimes try to trap users by getting their WhatsApp account linked to another system. If a suspicious device tries to link to your WhatsApp, WhatsApp will immediately send a notification warning that it could be a scam.