WhatsApp Message Verification Guide: How to Check Whether a Forwarded Message Is Real or Fake
In today’s digital age, instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social media apps have become primary sources of information. Every day, users receive multiple forwarded messages containing news updates, job alerts, government notices, website links, images, videos, and voice notes. While some of these messages share useful and accurate information, many others turn out to be misleading, partially true, or completely fake.
The rapid spread of unverified messages can create confusion, panic, and even financial or social harm. That is why platforms like WhatsApp regularly advise users to verify information before sharing it further. WhatsApp itself has published guidelines on how to identify suspicious or fake messages, encouraging users to pause and check the authenticity of forwarded content.
Apart from these platform-level advisories, the Government of India has also introduced an official fact-checking mechanism to help citizens verify doubtful information. This service is known as PIB Fact Check, operated by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
What Is PIB Fact Check and How Does It Help?
PIB Fact Check is an official initiative of the Government of India that allows citizens to verify the authenticity of news, claims, images, documents, letters, videos, and social media messages. If you receive a WhatsApp forward or any other message that seems suspicious or too good to be true, you can submit it to PIB Fact Check for verification.
The team at PIB Fact Check examines the submitted content and confirms whether the information is genuine, misleading, or completely false. Once the verification is complete, the response is shared with the user through email.
This tool plays a crucial role in combating fake news and preventing the spread of misinformation on digital platforms.
What You Need Before Submitting a Fact Check Request
Before you begin the verification process, make sure you have the following:
-
A valid email address
-
Active internet connectivity
-
Reference material related to the message, such as:
-
Screenshot of a WhatsApp message
-
Audio or voice recording
-
Image, video, or document linked to the claim
-
Having proper reference material helps the PIB team analyze the information more accurately.
Step-by-Step Guide to Check WhatsApp Message Authenticity Using PIB Fact Check
-
Open the official PIB Fact Check portal using a web browser.
-
Select your preferred language on the portal.
-
Enter your email address and complete the captcha verification.
-
Click on the Submit button.
-
You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on your registered email address.
-
Enter the OTP and click Submit to proceed.
-
Fill in the fact-check request form by entering details such as:
-
Your name and email address
-
Category of the news or message
-
A brief description of the content you want to verify
-
The original text or claim mentioned in the message
-
-
Upload supporting reference materials, including screenshots, images, videos, or audio clips.
-
Enter the captcha for final verification and click on Submit Request.
Once submitted, PIB Fact Check will review the information and send the verification result to your email address.
Why Verifying Messages Is Important
Forwarding unverified information can unintentionally contribute to misinformation. Fake news can mislead people, harm reputations, and even cause legal trouble. By taking a few minutes to verify suspicious messages, users can play an active role in maintaining a safer and more reliable digital environment.
Using official tools like PIB Fact Check ensures that information shared online is accurate and trustworthy.
