Hi to all my Friends on Wattpad,
I have a very IMPORTANT message.
A good friend @Zoe_Blessing warned about hackers using a sneaky tactic to gain unsolicited access to others' Wattpad accounts!
Below is her original message featuring advice from another writer:
"I just learned about a sneaky tactic that is being used to gain access to people's Wattpad accounts. My friend @paulapdx has shared a well-written warning to help people avoid becoming a victim:
Hi Friends!
I just wanted to warn you that, apparently, there is a hacker, or perhaps hackers, getting access to users' accounts by posing as a member of the Wattpad Support team and direct messaging them, claiming that their account has violated the Wattpad Content Guidelines.
There are several indications that this is a scam.
1) The username is "staff-someone's name". In the case reported, it was "staff-james".
2. The user's account is not a VERIFIED Wattpad account. Only verified Wattpad accounts will have the Wattpad logo and have the "Verified" checkmark next to their name IN YOUR PRIVATE MESSAGE INBOX. I can't share a screenshot, but if you go to the actual Wattpad profile, you'll see what I mean -
https://www.wattpad.com/user/Wattpad
3) The link is an unusual URL or has odd file extensions. In this case the malicious link had "feedback-wttpd" in it and ended with a ".cf" While you can still get a virus from a link containing a ".com", ".org.", ".gov" or ".edu", any link ending in anything other than one of those is almost certainly suspicious.
WHAT DO I DO IF I GET THIS DM? Please DO NOT click any link in the private message!
Report the DM to Wattpad via their support site. Instructions can be found here:
https://support.wattpad.com/hc/en-us/articles/205095403-How-to-report-private-messages
The instructions don't mention a spam category, but there is one now. After reporting, block the user.
That's all for now and stay safe guys!
~ Paula "
Hope Everyone find this warning useful.
Regards,
Fan.