![]() ![]() However, just like regular SMS or phone calls, it’s possible for other WhatsApp users who have your phone number to contact you. “The safety and security of our users and their messages are really important to us. Scammers are likely to carry out the same trick with verification codes with the new set of contacts they’ve unlocked, gaining access to more and more accounts. ![]() This information could be used to access other important accounts, target you with more scams, or even blackmail you. They could also find out personal details about you and your contacts from your messages. We’ve heard that scammers have identified their victims’ closest contacts from their message history and have asked them for money or sensitive information. Once they’ve taken over, scammers might use your account in a few different ways. They might say they’ve accidentally entered your number by mistake, for example.īecause the message seems to be from a relative or friend, a lot of people have been tricked into passing on the verification code, which then allows fraudsters to take over their accounts. Next, one of your WhatsApp contacts will message you via the app, usually with a story to try to persuade you to give them the verification code you’ve just received. This is usually triggered when logging into the app for the first time, when you’ve been logged out, or you’re trying to log into WhatsApp from a new device.īut in the case of this scam, fraudsters have entered your number into WhatsApp themselves to try to get access to your account, triggering the verification code text. Or if you live in Scotland, contact Police Scotland.First, you’ll receive an unexpected but genuine text message from WhatsApp containing a verification code. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to Action Fraud for free on 7726. You can also now call a new number - 159 - which aims to be a "999 for fraud". You should also contact Action Fraud online or by calling 03. ![]() ![]() If you believe you have been scammed, you should contact your bank straight away and change any passwords that may have been compromised. It went on to ask for help paying a bill but the parent realised it was a scam. A parent who received a WhatsApp message supposedly from their daughter saying they had had to change their number.They called their son to check and realised it was a scam. A parent who realised that a scammer was posing as their son asking for money via WhatsApp.When the person said they were unable to help they were blocked. A scammer who claimed they were a friend stuck abroad and had to find hundreds of pounds to get home.A friend in need is a friend worth calling."Ĭitizens Advice Scams Action is also supporting the campaign, having seen an increase in messaging scams over the past year, including friend-in-need scams such as: "If you receive a suspicious message (even if you think you know who it is from), calling or requesting a voice note is the fastest and simplest way to check someone is who they say they are. "We advise all users never to share their six-digit pin code with others, not even friends or family, and recommend that all users set up two-step verification for added security. Kathryn Harnett, policy manager at WhatsApp, said: "WhatsApp protects our users' personal messages with end-to-end encryption, but we want to remind people that we all have a role to play in keeping our accounts safe by remaining vigilant to the threat of scammers. ![]()
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