WhatsApp issues important update this month as millions of accounts get new ban

WhatsApp is attempting to fight back against online crooks. The meta-owned chat platform has just confirmed the removal of almost 7 million accounts that were being used by criminals attempting to trick consumers into handing over personal data and even cash.

It's become a growing problem for users of WhatsApp but it's hoped the crackdown should help to keep people safe.

"Every day criminal scammers attempt to play on people’s economic anxiety to trick people with too-good-to-be-true offers and pyramid schemes to earn quick money," WhatsApp explained.

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"In the first six months of this year, as part of our ongoing proactive work to protect people from scams, WhatsApp detected and banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to scam centers. "

As well as blocking hackers from its platform, WhatsApp says it is also working on new features that will help to stop cyber crooks in their tracks.

These include a new safety overview that we’ll show you when someone who is not in your contacts adds you to a new WhatsApp group you may not recognise.

"We’ve all been there: someone you don’t know attempting to message you, or add you to a group chat, promising low-risk investment opportunities or easy money, or saying you have an unpaid bill that’s overdue," the chat app added.

"The reality is, these are often scammers trying to prey on people’s kindness, trust and willingness to help – or, their fears that they could be in trouble if they don’t send money fast."

Here are three top tips all WhatsApp users should follow.

PAUSE: Take time before you respond. Think about whether this is a number you recognise, or whether it reads like a legitimate ask.

QUESTION: Does this request make sense? Does it seem too good to be true? Are they asking you to send money, gift cards or PIN codes? Are they offering unrealistically high pay for a few hours of work? Are they rushing you into taking action? These might be signs of a scam.

VERIFY: If they’re claiming to be a friend or family member, make sure that they are who they say they are by contacting that friend directly – ideally using another method of communication. For example, if they messaged you on WhatsApp, call them on their phone – or if they sent you an SMS, give them a WhatsApp call using the phone number you know is theirs.