As the number of businesses in the UAE utilizing WhatsApp to reach out to consumers continues to increase, Meta has come out with a notice to alert users about identifying spurious business profiles and avoiding scams. Such spam accounts usually pose as popular brands and attract unsuspecting individuals with spammy offers, phishing URLs, or asking for confidential data.
Meta recommends users to look for the green verified checkmark, which shows it’s an authentic business account. Without the checkmark, or if the profile has misspelled words, low-quality photos, or requests personal information such as OTPs or card numbers, it’s most probably a scam.
Another warning sign is the employment of pressure tactics—like offers that expire soon or urgent requests—that are designed to hurry users to provide their data or to make payments. Meta advises individuals to never tap on suspicious links and to report these types of accounts immediately through WhatsApp.
Authorities in the UAE have also urged residents to stay vigilant and not engage with unfamiliar WhatsApp business messages. Consumers are advised to verify promotions directly with official company websites or customer service numbers before taking action.
