WhatsApp is a blessing — and a scam delivery system
Turn on your shield (ask a family member to help, 5 minutes):
- WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Two-step verification → set a 6-digit PIN you'll remember + your email
- Settings → Privacy → Groups → "My contacts" (stops strangers adding you to scam groups)
- Settings → Privacy → Profile photo & About → "My contacts"
Forward rules:
- Messages marked "Forwarded many times" with urgent warnings, prizes, or religious pressure to share — verify before forwarding. You may be delivering a scam to 50 loved ones.
- Links in forwarded messages: don't click. If important, type the official website yourself.
- "Free gas cylinders/electricity refunds/Ehsaas money — register here" forwards are fake portals stealing your CNIC data.
The family group advantage: Ask your children to create a "Family Alerts" group. Whenever ANY of you gets a suspicious call/message, drop a screenshot there. Scams run in waves — one person's warning saves the whole family.