WhatsApp users have been issued an urgent warning over a scam account. Popular WhatsApp blog WABetaInfo is asking people to be vigilant as a support scam is doing the rounds, trying to encourage users to hand over personal details.
All two billion users of the instant messaging service are being told to exercise caution and delete the text immediately if they receive it. When you are chatting with a verified contact, there is a verified badge placed next to the contact name in the conversation screen and their chat info.
BirminghamLive reports that the scam WhatsApp support account does not have this verified badge. Instead, it uses the blue tick in a different place - meaning it is a fake account and trying to grab your personal details.
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WhatsApp says it never asks for details about your credit card and information like your 6-digit code or two-step verification PIN. If a WhatsApp account is asking you for this, it means it is a fake account that’s trying to scam you.
The messaging service has therefore issued the following advice:
- Delete the text and block the number if they receive it.
- Never hand over your security codes, a password or a pin to anyone - not even friends or family.
- Make sure two step verification is set up.
- Beware of messages asking for money. Check people's identities and try to verify who you are talking to if in any doubt.
