“The Jio Rs 498 free recharge offer that is doing the rounds on WhatsApp claims to offer free data and unlimited voice calls to its customer”
A message is doing the rounds on social messaging platforms like WhatsApp that talks about a Jio Rs 498 free recharge. The message claims that Jio is offering benefits of Rs 498, including unlimited voice calls and 4G data, for free to its customers in India until March 31st – provided they click on the link attached. While this might sound particularly appealing during the ongoing 21-day coronavirus lockdown in India, you should know that this Jio Rs 498 free recharge message is a fake. There has been no such official announcement from Jio in this regard and users should not fall prey to this fraud. Clicking on the phishing link could allow hackers to gain access to your smartphone or laptop in order to steal personal information like credit card and bank account details.
What is the Jio Rs 498 free recharge message?
As reported by Amar Ujala, the Jio Rs 498 free recharge message that is being circulated on WhatsApp reads,”Jio इस कठिन परिस्थिति में दे रहा है सभी इंडियन यूजर को 498 रुपए का फ्री रिचार्ज, तो अभी नीचे दी गई लिंक पर क्लिक करके अपना फ्री रीचार्ज प्राप्त करें…https://jionewoffer.online..कृपया ध्यान दे: यह ऑफर केवल 31 March तक ही सिमित है! (Jio, in this difficult times, is offering free Rs 498 recharge to its every Indian user. To avail this free recharge, click on the link https://jionewoffer.online below. Please note: This offer is valid until March 31st).”
How to verify fake messages
In order to protect yourself from such kinds of fake, potentially harmful messages, follow these simple steps:
- Make sure that your information is coming from a trusted source.
- Run down the information with the official website, in this case the official Jio website, in order to verify.
- Don’t click on any link given in the message without first verifying its authenticity.
- While ULRs will https:// means the site is encrypted, it does not necessarily mean it is secure. The https://jionewoffer.online is a prime example of that. It could still be a phishing link that should first be verified before opening.
- Never open emails or SMS and click URL links sent from an unknown sender.
