Hackers and scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic by tricking people into clicking on dangerous links and attatchments through WhatsApp and email.
The hackers are claiming to be from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and clicking on the malicious attatchments or links can reveal usernames and passwords, which can be used to steal money or sensitive information.
However, the organisation never sends emails or messages asking for people’s usernames or passwords to access information, nor does it email unsolicited attachments.
The World Health Organisation says people should be alert to the scams and is advising people to check the authenticity of any correspondence before responding or taking any action.
WHO never asks people to visit a link outside of www.who.int, never charges money to apply for a job or register for a conference, and it never conducts lotteries or offers prizes, grants, certificates or funding through email.
The only call for donations WHO has issued is the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Any other appeal for funding or donations that appears to be from WHO is a scam.
