A warning was issued regarding a WhatsApp scam where fraudsters pose as your friend.
Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, has urged users to be vigilant after it received 60 reports relating to a scam which steals access to a persons WhatsApp account. The scam begins when a criminal gets access to another WhatsApp account which has you listed as a contact.
The fraudster poses as your friend or a someone who's a member of a WhatsApp group you are in. They will then send you a seemingly normal message and try and start a conversation, according to Action Fraud.
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As the person messages you, a text message from WhatsApp will also be sent. This contains a six-digit code and has been sent because the criminal tried to login to WhatsApp using your number.
The scammer will claim they send the code as a mistake and ask you to help them by sending it them. This leads to your profile being hacked.
Action Fraud said: "Once the criminal has this code, they can login to your WhatsApp account and lock you out. The criminal will then use the same tactic with your WhatsApp contacts in an effort to steal more accounts and use them to perpetrate fraud."
If this has happened to you. There are a number of steps you can take, these include:
- Set up two-step verification to give an extra layer of protection to your account: Tap Settings > Account >Two-step verification > Enable.
- "Think. Call". If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.
- Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)
- You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.
People can also report a cyber crime or if they have been a victim of fraud on the Action Fraud's website or call 0300 123 2040.
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