The Torreón regional welfare office has issued a warning amid an increase in WhatsApp-related scams, urging the public to verify messages through official channels and protect personal information to combat fraud targeting beneficiaries of federal support schemes.
The regional office for welfare programmes in Torreón is urging beneficiaries and the wider public to rely only on official channels after a rise in WhatsApp scams and misleading message chains circulating online. The warning is aimed at people who receive support through federal schemes as well as anyone who might be targeted by fraudsters posing as legitimate authorities.
Officials said one of the main risks is the rapid spread of unverified messages through WhatsApp groups and forwarded chains. The advice is simple: a message arriving on a phone does not make it true. People are being asked not to pass on rumours or claims that have not been checked, because false posts can create confusion and may be used to facilitate fraud.
The guidance also stresses the need to protect personal and banking information. The Banco del Bienestar does not place calls or send messages to offer products online, according to the alert shared in Torreón, and beneficiaries are being told not to give out sensitive details to unknown contacts. BBVA Mexico and other companies that have issued similar advice say users should verify any request through official sources before responding.
Those receiving suspicious calls or messages are advised to ignore them and, if necessary, go directly to a Banco del Bienestar branch to confirm information. In Torreón, officials pointed to the downtown branch on Rodríguez Street between Morelos and Juárez avenues as one place where beneficiaries can ask questions in person.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
