{"id":246,"date":"2026-08-20T16:03:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aws.in.ua\/blog\/shahrayi-v-mesendzherah\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T16:03:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:03:25","slug":"shahrayi-v-mesendzherah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aws.in.ua\/en\/blog\/shahrayi-v-mesendzherah\/","title":{"rendered":"Scammers on Messaging Apps: How to Keep Your Account and Money Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scams on messaging apps have long since moved beyond \u201cNigerian letters\u201d full of spelling mistakes. Today, these are carefully crafted schemes in which everything looks plausible: a familiar phone number, a bank logo, and a link that\u2019s almost identical to the real one. Let\u2019s break down the most common scams and what to do to avoid losing your account and money.<\/p>\n

The Main Rule<\/h2>\n

Almost all of these schemes boil down to one thing: they rush you. \u201cUrgent,\u201d \u201conly today,\u201d \u201cyour account will be blocked in an hour.\u201d The rush makes you stop to think\u2014and that\u2019s exactly what they\u2019re counting on.<\/p>\n

If a message seems urgent and includes a request to do something with your account or money\u2014stop right there. No real-life situation will be ruined by taking five minutes to verify it.<\/p>\n

Figure 1. Verification Code<\/h2>\n

You receive a message purporting to be from an acquaintance: \u201cI accidentally entered your number\u2014please send me the code from the text message.\u201d Or you get a call \u201cfrom customer support.\u201d The code you receive is the key to your account. Whoever gets it will be able to log in.<\/p>\n

A rule with no exceptions:<\/strong> Never give your verification code to anyone\u2014not to friends, not to customer support, not to the bank, and not to the police. The messaging app\u2019s customer support team will never ask for your code.<\/p>\n

Figure 2. A friend's hacked account<\/h2>\n

After hijacking an account, the attacker sends messages to all of the owner\u2019s contacts on the owner\u2019s behalf: asking to borrow money, to vote in a contest, or to \u201ctransfer money to my card\u2014mine\u2019s been blocked.\u201d<\/p>\n

It's easy to check: call this person and speak to them. Don't message them in the same chat\u2014it's not them anymore. A voice message isn't proof either: voices can be faked.<\/p>\n

Figure 3. Fake Technical Support and Administration<\/h2>\n

A message saying, \u201cYour account has violated the rules; please verify your information.\u201d It includes a logo, the official name, and sometimes a blue checkmark. The goal is to trick you into revealing a code or password, or to get you to click on a link.<\/p>\n

Support teams do not initiate messages on messaging apps asking you to urgently confirm your information.<\/p>\n

Figure 4. Selling on a marketplace<\/h2>\n

A classic scam for anyone selling something: The \u201cbuyer\u201d offers to arrange shipping and sends a link to \u201cpay.\u201d The page looks like a bank or a shipping service, but asks for your card information, including the CVV and a code from an SMS.<\/p>\n

Key feature: You never need your CVV or an SMS code to receive money<\/strong>. The card number alone is sufficient for the transaction.<\/p>\n

Figure 5. Work and Easy Money<\/h2>\n

\u201cLike posts, 500 UAH a day.\u201d The first payments actually come through\u2014this builds trust. Then they ask you to \u201cunlock your account\u201d or \u201cmake a deposit to withdraw funds.\u201d That\u2019s where it all ends.<\/p>\n

Figure 6. QR Codes<\/h2>\n

A sticker with a fake QR code placed over the real one on a parking meter, in a caf\u00e9, or on a poster. The code leads to a fake payment page.<\/p>\n

See where the link leads: most browsers display the address before you click. If you see a shortened link or a string of characters instead of a familiar domain, don't click on it. We've written about how these links work on the page QR code generator<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Figure 7. Substituting Details in Business Correspondence<\/h2>\n

The most costly for companies. The attacker gains access to email or chat, waits for a discussion about payment, and sends \u201cupdated payment details.\u201d The money is transferred to someone else\u2019s account.<\/p>\n

Security measure #1: Any change to your account information must be confirmed by voice call using the number you already know, not the one listed in the email.<\/p>\n

How to Check a Link in 10 Seconds<\/h2>\n