Reliance Jio offering free Rs. 498 recharge is fake news
What's the story
A fake WhatsApp forward, in the name of Reliance Jio, is trying to scam customers by promising to offer a free recharge worth Rs. 498. The message claims that Jio is offering unlimited calls and free 4G internet to users amid the coronavirus lockdown. However, a quick verification has confirmed that the telco has not announced any such offer.
The offer
Here's a look at the fake message
The message, currently doing rounds on WhatsApp as well as social media, claims that Reliance Jio is offering a free recharge of Rs. 498 to users in these difficult times when the entire country is under lockdown. The fake offer also lures you into clicking a link by stating that the offer is valid till March 31.
Information
Do not even click on the link
While you may be tempted to check the offer, be aware that even clicking on that link could cause you harm. Several scammers use such misleading links to lace them with malware to hack into your device or carry out a phishing attack.
Verification
Fact: There is no free recharge offer announced by Jio
The truth is that this message is a hoax. A simple fact check has confirmed that Reliance Jio has not announced any such free offer. Whenever a company comes up with such a scheme, it is properly highlighted on its official website and/or covered by media publications. In the case of Reliance Jio, all available offers can also be checked within MyJio app.
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What can you do to protect your interests?
Whenever you receive such a dubious message/call, you must reach out to the concerned company's customer care to confirm if the offer is legitimate. If not, you should report the message, block the sender, and alert others about the same.