There are always rumors going around that WhatsApp will soon be chargeable. Criminals use these rumors to send dubious emails.

WhatsApp phishing in brief:

  1. Apparently you have to renew your WhatsApp subscription quickly
  2. Fraudsters get credit card details through the fake site
  3. However, WhatsApp is and remains free

An email claims that the “annual IN service” would expire, which is why you have to pay an annual fee in order to continue using the app and keep your data.

A WhatsApp subscription?
A WhatsApp subscription?

The email, which only appears to come from the real company, says in beautifully bad German:

“Your annual IN service will expire in 48 hours.
WhatsApp ID: 84039MW
Extend your annual subscription to whatsapp!!
Please renew as soon as possible to avoid loss of all media (video, photo…)”

[mk_ad]

If you click or tap on the link, you will be taken to a dubious page that has nothing to do with the app but wants your credit card details:

The fake WhatsApp page is quite curious
The fake WhatsApp page is quite curious

Many users are unsettled, but think nothing of transferring the small sum of 99 cents.

The problem, however, is that criminals now have the sensitive credit card data and can either sell it on the dark web or use it to make purchases on the Internet at the user's expense.
The goods ordered with the data are usually delivered somewhere abroad, so it is very difficult to find the people behind them.

[mk_ad]

Conclusion

The popular messenger is and will remain free, and there are no plans or announcements that the app would become paid for at some point in the future.
It is best to delete emails of this type immediately; under no circumstances should you click on the link in these emails.
Those affected should have their card blocked by their credit card provider as soon as possible!

Also interesting:


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