IPHONE users have been urged to delete several “predatory” apps.
Popular scam lending apps that prey on desperate users and even threaten to release their nudes are facing a major crackdown.
GettyAuthorities are not ‘appy about lending scams available in official app stores[/caption]
GettyA crackdown in India has seen shady apps barred by Apple in a bid to protect users[/caption]
At least six of the crooked cash apps have been pulled from Apple’s official app store in India.
The apps, which used intimidating tactics to punish borrowers and bully them into coughing up repayments, had recently featured on the top 20 list of finance app downloads in the country.
But the predatory lenders then threatened users with fees of up to half the loan value – or in one case, threatened to share intimate photos of the borrower.
According to TechCrunch, one victim alleged: “My friend’s sister used an app named White Kash to take out a loan and now they’ve got access to her contact list.
“They’re also threatening to send nude pics to her contact list.”
The apps, which include Pocket Kash, White Kash, Golden Kash, and OK Rupee, have now been removed from the Apple store in the country, after Indian government officials called for action.
Although they do not appear to be available in the UK app store, experts have warned that other forms of malicious software can easily trick iPhone and Android users.
Some scam apps can even turn your device into an “ad fraud” machine that generates cash for crooks – while slowing your handset down and draining its battery.
Tech expert Dr Klaus Schenk, security chief at Verimatrix, spoke to The Sun earlier this month about which apps could prove hazardous to your phone – and bank account.
The specialist said: “Malicious actors often employ various tactics to hide malware or spyware within seemingly innocent applications.
“One common approach is to embed malware into “dropper” apps, which can then silently install the harmful code on the user’s device.
“Popular app categories that have been known to contain malware include PDF viewers, calculators, converters, games, and QR code readers.
“Another method is repackaging legitimate apps, such as popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, with injected malware, exploiting the trust users place in familiar applications.”
Dr Schenk advised reading reviews before downloading a new app and making sure all your downloads are from legitimate app stores.
If you’d rather safeguard your money than lose it when it comes to your tech, check out this hack for saving cash at the Apple store.
And if you’re worried a partner, colleague or friend is having a sneaky peruse of your phone when you pop to the loo – here’s how to detect a snooper.
Meanwhile, here’s a trick for boosting battery life that could totally rejuvenate your iPhone.