WHATSAPP users are reportedly being targeted by a scam which asks them to renew their subscription.

Fake text messages have been sent out in recent weeks warning recipients that their Whatsapp subscription has run out.

The message also contains instructions to receive a lifetime subscription for a small fee and are being used by criminals to trick people into providing their payment details.

People who have received the message should delete it immediately.

If you have clicked on the link it contains, you should also run antivirus software to ensure your device has not been infected with malware.

The scam, which first surfaced last year, charges users 99p to renew their subscription.

Twitter users have taken to the social network to ask advice about the scam.

The message also contains instructions to receive a lifetime subscription for a small fee and are being used by criminals to trick people into providing their payment details.

ActionFraud, the UK's national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, has warned users to to fall for it.

"Long term users of WhatsApp will remember paying a 0.99p annual fee to use the messaging service," a spokesperson said.

"In 2016, this was scrapped by Facebook who took over running of the company after buying it for £11.4bn. That means since 2016, the service has been free for every user.

"Whilst late adopters of the service might look at the email below and simply brush it off, long term users will remember paying and could quite easily think the app has gone back to its subscription model and get caught out."