Christmas WhatsApp message alert: one wrong click can empty your bank account

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): While people across the world are celebrating Christmas 2025 and preparing to exchange gifts, cyber criminals have become highly active, using the festive season to target unsuspecting users. If you receive a WhatsApp or social media message claiming a free gift or a parcel in your name, you need to stay extremely cautious. Fraudsters are trapping people through a Christmas WhatsApp scam, exploiting holiday excitement.

According to a report by security agencies and Moneycontrol, more than 33,000 phishing emails have been detected in just the last two weeks. Cyber criminals have flooded social media with fake holiday advertisements that closely resemble genuine promotions. These messages are cleverly designed as gift notifications, claiming that a parcel has arrived or a surprise gift is waiting for you.

Such messages usually include a suspicious link. Once a user clicks on it out of curiosity or excitement, they are redirected to a malicious website or unknowingly install spyware malware on their phone. This malware can steal personal data, photos, and most importantly banking and financial details. A single careless click can result in complete loss of money from your bank account, causing serious financial damage.

Cyber experts strongly advise users not to click on unknown links, avoid messages from unfamiliar numbers, and never share OTPs, PINs, or bank details with anyone, especially during the festive season.