Beware of Hackers: A Warning to Be Safe Online While Using WhatsApp and Others

This is both a warning and a reminder to remain vigilant online.

Just yesterday, someone attempted to hack my WhatsApp account. How do I know? Because, thankfully, I was alert enough to recognize what was happening before it was too late.

At around 9 p.m., I missed a phone call from a number I did not recognize. Normally, I do not answer or return unknown calls. However, because I work with various contractors and often receive work-related calls from unfamiliar numbers, I assumed it might have been someone trying to update me about work come Monday morning. So, I decided to call back.

A woman answered and said, “Oh, this is Pat. Remember me?”

I did not remember any “Pat,” but I continued listening. She then said she was organizing a Zoom prayer meeting for the next morning and needed my help setting it up. She told me she had just sent me a code and asked me to read it back to her.

At that exact moment, I received a text message from WhatsApp containing a six-digit verification code.

Immediately, alarm bells went off in my head.

The caller kept insisting that I read the code aloud, but I pretended not to understand what she was talking about. If I had given her that code, she would have gained access to my WhatsApp account. From there, they could have taken control of my contacts, impersonated me, and used my account for all kinds of fraudulent and malicious activities.

This is why I am sharing this story as a warning.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They know how to target people emotionally and psychologically. In this case, they used the idea of a prayer meeting because they know prayer is a soft spot for many of us. Prayer connects people to God, to hope, and to community. Unfortunately, there are individuals willing to exploit even faith and spirituality for criminal purposes. Dear God, have mercy. 

Please be careful.

Never share verification codes sent to your phone with anyone, no matter how convincing they sound. Legitimate companies like WhatsApp will never call and ask you to read back a verification code. Don't open random text with links. Attachments with PDFs. They are risky for PC viruses and scams. 

Stay alert. Stay safe online. And do not let anyone manipulate your kindness, your faith, or your trust.

Have a wonderful day.

I remain,
Pal Ronnie

Mass Reading and Reflection for June 1st, 2026

First Reading: (2 Peter 1:2–7)

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 91)

Response:

O my God, I trust in you.

Gospel: (Mark 12:1–12)

Reflection

Today’s Gospel presents the parable of the wicked tenants. The owner of the vineyard entrusted his property to tenants, expecting them to care for it and render fruits in due season. Instead, they refused accountability. They beat the servants sent to them and eventually killed the owner’s beloved son.

Jesus used this parable to describe the attitude of those who reject God and desire to live life on their own terms.

The vineyard represents life itself. God is the owner, the true landlord. We are only tenants. Life does not belong to us; it is entrusted to us by God. One day, we shall render an account of how we used this gift.

The tenants in the Gospel behaved as though the vineyard belonged to them. They wanted complete control. In the same way, many people today live as though they are the owners of their lives, forgetting God completely.

When people reject God’s commandments, ignore prayer, refuse repentance, or silence those who preach the truth, they imitate the wicked tenants. God sent prophets, apostles, and finally His own Son, Jesus Christ, yet many rejected them because they did not want correction or accountability.

But beloved, a tenant is not the landlord.

We cannot live however we please and expect no accountability. The time will come when the landlord will ask for an account of His property. That moment is death and judgment.

This life is God’s gift. Therefore, we must bear fruits worthy of Him:

• fruits of love,

• peace,

• forgiveness,

• kindness,

• generosity,

• holiness,

• and obedience to the Gospel.

Whenever we sin deliberately and refuse God’s ways, we act as though we own our lives. But the truth remains: we are only caretakers of what belongs to God.

May his example inspire us to live faithfully and responsibly as good tenants in God’s vineyard.

Let us pray for the grace always to remember:

• that God is the owner of life,

• that we are only tenants,

• and that one day we shall render an account before Him.

May we therefore live according to the instructions of the true Landlord-God.

Amen.

God bless you.