Is it dangerous to exit WhatsApp scam groups? Or quitting such scam groups on WhatsApp cause your phone to be hacked?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : It Is Dangerous To Exit WhatsApp Scam Groups!
People are sharing this warning about quitting WhatsApp scam groups using the Exit Group link option! Take a look!
Here’s another Scam chat group. DO NOT CLICK ON ITS EXIT GROUP BUTTON to exit, instead go to your top right 3dots and click on exit group or report.
Clicking on the group’s exit button might have dire consequences..
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Truth : It’s Not Dangerous To Exit WhatsApp Scam Groups!
This viral warning was likely created by well-meaning but clueless Internet “experts” who are apparently not tech-savvy enough to understand what’s going on.
Fact #1 : No Evidence Of WhatsApp Exit Group Hacking
First, let me just point out that there is no evidence that anyone was ever hacked after using the Exit Group link to get out of any WhatsApp group, whether they are scam groups or otherwise.
Even if an enterprising hacker / scammer was able to create a message with a fake Exit Group button that downloads an APK (Android Package Kit) file, it won’t automatically install that file. You will need to manually install the APK file from the Downloads folder.
Those who know how to do that would be tech-savvy enough to avoid installing APK files from unknown sources. Those who don’t know how to do that would not be able to install the downloaded APK file.
Fact #2 : WhatsApp Exit Group Option Is Genuine
The truth is – the Exit Group link that you may see in new messages from strangers is not a scam or a trick. It also does not download or install any APK file.
The Exit Group link is actually a safety feature in WhatsApp, that appears if you have been added to a WhatsApp group by someone who is not in your contact list – like a scammer, for example.
Once you open the new group you have been added to, WhatsApp warns you that you were added by someone who isn’t a contact. You are then given the option to exit the group, or click OK to continue.
There is really nothing malicious about this Exit group link in WhatsApp. Clicking on it to exit any WhatsApp group won’t harm you in any way, or cause your phone to be hacked.
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Fact #3 : Older Exit Group Methods Still Work
The WhatsApp Exit group link offers an easy way to quickly remove yourself from a group you don’t want to be in. However, the older exit group methods still work, in case you prefer to use them:
Exit Group Only
- Go into the group chat you wish to leave.
- Tap on the kebab menu / vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the upper right corner.
- Select More > Exit group.
An even better option is to actually report the scam group, while quitting it and removing the chat at the same time.
Report + Exit Group Only
- Go into the group chat you wish to leave.
- Tap on the kebab menu / vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the upper right corner.
- Select More > Report
- Make sure the Exit group and delete chat option is checked.
- Tap Report to report and quit from the group, and delete the chat.
Fact #4 : WhatsApp + Telegram Scam Groups Are Real
Before I leave, I just want to remind all of you that there are many scam groups on WhatsApp and Telegram.
If you are added to any of these scam groups, just exit them without a thought. Do not read anything posted in these scam groups, lest you fall for the scam!
That’s why scammers often try to convince you to check out the group first, and “don’t rush to leave the group”:
Hello everyone! Please don’t rush to leave the group, thank you all for taking the time to read this message!
Ignore whatever they post in those scam groups. Hit the Exit group link, or better still – REPORT the group to WhatsApp / Telegram!
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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
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