In the last few hours on WhatsApp is running a message that invites you to complete a quiz to get gift vouchers of 200 euros. It’s a scam: how to defend yourself
A few were enough from the announcement by the Government of the shopping vouchers for families in need due to Covid-19 that scammers have already set to work. To make the announcement is the State Police through its Twitter account: on WhatsApp begin to turn the first messages-scam that invite you to click on a link to get shopping vouchers worth 200 euros.
This is a classic phishing attack, a technique used by hackers and online scammers to steal personal data from people and in some cases even the username and password of the online bank account. The message was artfully created to make people fall into the trap who are currently experiencing a difficult period due to the closure of stores and the stop of the main Italian economic activities. A gift voucher of 200 euros for groceries is tempting for many people and the elderly or those who are unfamiliar with the world of computers are often the first victims of these scams. Here’s how to defend yourself.
WhatsApp, the fake message of the €200 shopping vouchers
A message created ad hoc on current events. On Saturday night, the government allocated funds for shopping vouchers for families in need. The scammers have taken the ball and immediately created a scam against Italian citizens.
On WhatsApp is turning in recent hours a link with a very simple message inside: by filling out a quiz and leaving your personal data you will immediately receive food vouchers for € 200. A great opportunity for seniors and families in need. The message in the link also includes a statement from the major supermarket chains in Italy:
“Italy is the most affected country in Europe today. Citizens are locked in their homes, with very restrictive access to shopping. So, all the food retailers in Italy, we decided to create a joint venture and help all our people. We offer free vouchers to all citizens in Italy (at least 18 years old). All you have to do is complete the quiz bellow.” Then at the bottom is an alert with the remaining gift cards and some questions to answer. Once you complete the quiz you are asked to release your personal information. And that’s where the scam comes in.
Logically, there is no such thing as a €200 food voucher, but the message only serves to get people’s data, which can be used for other scams or resold on the dark web.
How to defend yourself against WhatsApp scams
WhatsApp is definitely a powerful and very useful tool, especially in this period when we can not leave the house allows you to stay in touch through calls and video calls with parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and co-workers. At the same time, however, it is also an (almost) infallible weapon for scammers and hackers who can spread their fake news in no time. How to defend against scams on WhatsApp?
It takes little to understand if a message we received on WhatsApp is reliable or not. First of all we have to read it carefully and see if there are grammatical errors: in the message that we have shown above there are some errors that make it clear immediately that it is not a text written by the main supermarket chains in Italy.
Furthermore, we must remember that no one provides gift certificates on WhatsApp. For this type of initiatives, the official channels are always used: in the case of the shopping vouchers established by the Government, it will be the municipalities and associations that will manage them. No quizzes on WhatsApp or similar things.
Finally, we suggest that you do not open links that arrive via forwarded messages. Despite the work that developers are doing to put a stop to this (most recently the agreement with Google to immediately verify the veracity of frequently forwarded messages), groups are the main flywheel to spread fake news. Be wary of messages that are sent in groups and delete them immediately.
The State Police has also made available a web page where you can report this type of activity. Do this to keep you and your friends safe.