Residents of the Virgin Islands are being urged to stay alert against a surge in WhatsApp scams targeting individuals through fraudulent messages and hacking attempts.
Officials report that scammers are using familiar tactics, such as posing as known contacts and sending fake Zoom meeting links or messages requesting six-digit codes.
Once access is gained, scammers can lock users out of their accounts, potentially compromising banking apps and personal data. Victims risk financial theft and identity fraud if they respond to these fraudulent requests.
To combat these threats, users are advised to:
- Avoid clicking on unsolicited links, even from known contacts.
- Confirm messages or requests by directly calling the sender.
- Delete suspicious messages immediately.
- Enable WhatsApp’s Two-Step Verification for added security:
- Navigate to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification > Turn on.
- Set up a six-digit PIN and an email for recovery.
The public is reminded to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity promptly to prevent becoming a victim of these scams. Stay vigilant to safeguard your personal information and devices.