WhatsApp scam offers fake iFood coupon, PSafe alerts | Social networks

A new scam distributed via WhatsApp messages attempts to trick users with a fake page from the iFood delivery service. The fraud follows the pattern of other recent attacks that circulated through the app: the message cites a supposed birthday campaign by the company and promises a discount coupon of R $ 100 for people who answer a questionnaire. Discovered by Psafe, the action of hackers has been recorded 86,000 times in the past 48 hours.

IFood reports that the promotion is fake and has warned of possible virus infection. The company recommends that users ignore the message, which may contain viruses, and reinforces that the only official channels of communication with customers are through the platform (push), emails, official website and WhatsApp Business, identified with the seal account green verified in contact information, says in note.

IFood brand used in new scam distributed via WhatsApp Photo: Ana Marques / dnetcIFood brand used in new scam distributed via WhatsApp Photo: Ana Marques / dnetc

IFood brand used in new scam distributed via WhatsApp Photo: Ana Marques / dnetc

Want to buy cell phones, TV and other discounted products? Meet Compare dnetc

The chain spread by WhatsApp contains the message The iFood is celebrating its anniversary and giving out R $ 100 coupons for a limited time. I just used my coupon. The user is encouraged to open a link with a questionnaire of three questions. According to Psafe, regardless of the answers, the page asks the user to share the false promotion with as many friends as possible via WhatsApp.

As a recurrent in this type of scam, the site displays a fake screen with supposed comments from other supposed participants who got the discount.

WhatsApp scam: message about fake promotion leads to address started in https Photo: Divulgao / PSafeWhatsApp scam: message about fake promotion leads to address started in https Photo: Divulgao / PSafe

WhatsApp scam: message about fake promotion leads to address started in https Photo: Divulgao / PSafe

IFood says it is investigating the case internally and will take appropriate action.

WhatsApp is already testing a mechanism for checking suspicious links that promises to acknowledge when there is a potential danger before opening the page. However, the resource is still expected to be released.

Until then, I need to take some precautions, like checking the spelling of the shared link to find out if it coincides with an official brand channel. The iFood message uses an address starting at https and ending with .info, very different from any website used by the food ordering platform.

It is also essential to check for spelling errors, the presence of special characters and to ask the sending contact the origin of the information.

Contacts appear alone on WhatsApp? Learn how to solve in dnetc's Forum

WhatsApp warns when message forwarded; know how to avoid

WhatsApp warns when message forwarded; know how to avoid