Beware of tempting Easter gift offers.

On Good Friday a year ago, many WhatsApp users received an offer that was too attractive to be true. In a phishing message, they were offered a free Easter gift basket from Lindt.

Anyone who clicked on the link in the message was then invited to take part in a competition. For this purpose you had to provide your personal information and credit card details. The fraudsters could then simply apply charges to the card.

This is how to avoid falling for phishing messages:

• Be suspicious if you receive unsolicited messages with tempting offers from unknown senders.
• Never open a link if you do not recognise the sender.
• When you are directed to a website, always check the URL.
• Except when you are making a payment, never disclose personal information and card details.
• If you have inadvertently given out such data, get your card blocked immediately.
• If you have been the victim of card fraud, file a complaint with the police.