Since we launched our WhatsApp fact-checking chatbot in 2020, the first in Spanish, we have received daily queries from users who have received fraudulent messages and are unsure how to protect themselves or what to do if they have fallen victim to scammers. This led to the creation of a dedicated conversation for people who believe they may have been victims of a scam.
How does it work?
To use it, users simply need to save the chatbot’s number on their phone (+34 644 229 319) and send the message “Hola”. From the menu options that appear, they should select “Reportar un timo”.
Users will be able to check whether the suspicious message they received is a scam and will also receive advice on how to prevent online fraud, as well as recommendations on what to do if they have already been victims of a scam. In this way, they will learn to identify cyberattacks such as phishing, which involves impersonating companies or institutions in order to obtain our personal data and money.
This new service is part of the tools that Fundación Maldita.es makes available to the public to fight disinformation and scams. Through the WhatsApp chatbot, users can also access an interactive course to learn how to detect hoaxes. Maldita.es is also present on WhatsApp Channels with two channels: Maldita.es and Alerta Timo.