How to deal with spam calls on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. However, it also attracts unwanted attention from spammers and scammers who try to trick users into clicking on malicious links, sharing personal information, or forwarding false messages.

Recently, many Indian WhatsApp users have complained about receiving spam calls from unknown international numbers, mostly from African and Southeast Asian countries. These calls may be part of a phishing scheme or a fraud attempt to charge users for expensive calls.


It is advised to use the feature 'Silence Unknown Callers', by going to Settings➡️Privacy➡️Calls➡️'Silence Unknown Callers'.
this feature is still available in beta version, but it'll roll out to everyone very soon!

WhatsApp has advised users to block and report suspicious accounts and to use privacy controls on the app to limit who can see their personal details. The company also said it has banned 4.7 million accounts in March as part of its efforts to combat abuse on the platform. Additionally, WhatsApp has said it is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to reduce the spam call rates by at least 50%.

However, users should also be vigilant and aware of the signs of spam calls and messages. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling prey to these unwanted communications:

  • Do not answer or call back unknown numbers that start with +251 (Ethiopia), +62 (Indonesia), +254 (Kenya), +84 (Vietnam) or other countries that you have no connection with
  • Do not tap on any links or activate any features that are sent by strangers or contacts that you do not trust. These links may contain malware or lead you to fake websites that ask for your personal or financial information.
  • Do not share your personal information, such as credit card or bank account numbers, birth date, passwords, or verification codes with anyone on WhatsApp. WhatsApp will never ask you for these details or charge you for using the app.
  • Do not forward messages that claim you have to pay to use WhatsApp, that offer free gifts or prizes, that ask you to forward them to others, or that contain misspellings or grammatical mistakes. These messages are likely to be hoaxes or scams that spread misinformation and harm.
  • If you receive a message that looks suspicious or sounds too good to be true, report it, block the sender, and delete it. You can also tell the contact that the message appears suspicious and explain to them how to use WhatsApp responsibly.
By following these simple steps, you can protect yourself and your contacts from spam calls and messages on WhatsApp. Remember, if you are not sure whether something is true or do not know who wrote the message you received, do not forward it. Stay safe and enjoy using WhatsApp!

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