ANYONE with a WhatsApp account needs to watch out for a dangerous “trick” message.
It’s designed to break into your accounts – and it’s extremely easy to fall for.
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The con is linked to those verification codes that you sometimes receive for logging in.
WhatsApp uses these codes for logging into the app itself.
And you’ll likely have been sent them over text for other services too, like Facebook, a TV app, or even your bank.
These texts are gold dust to cyber-criminals, as getting their hands on your code is an easy way to break into your accounts.
Now WhatsApp is warning users to never share these codes with anyone else, as they’re a ticket straight into your account.
“You should never share your WhatsApp verification code with others,” WhatsApp explained.
“If someone is trying to take over your account, they need the SMS verification code sent to your phone number to do so.
“Without this code, any user attempting to verify your number can’t complete the verification process and can’t use your phone number on WhatsApp.
“This means you remain in control of your WhatsApp account.”
Crooks will try to trick you into handing over your code.
They’ll say something about needing to verify your identity with a code, or that they accidentally sent their own code to you.
Alternatively, they’ll claim to be from WhatsApp’s support team (or another business) and demand your code to fix a problem.
Another route they might take is breaking into a WhatsApp account of a friend or family member.
And they can then use that account to pose as the person, making it easier to trick you into handing over a code.
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None of these are legitimate requests, and you should ignore them completely.
If you share your WhatsApp code, a criminal can enter your account right away and start texting people as you.
This could allow them to scam your partner, parents, children, or close friends out of money.
Or they could use your profile to glean enough info about you to defraud you, and then raid your bank.
WHATSAPP’S TOP SECURITY TIPS REVEALED
Here’s the official list of security tips from WhatsApp…
- Never share your registration code or two-step verification PIN with others.
- Enable two-step verification and provide an email address in case you forget your PIN.
- Set a voicemail password on your phone that’s difficult to guess to prevent anyone from accessing your voicemail.
- Check your linked devices regularly. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices to review all devices linked to your account. To remove a linked device, tap the device > Log Out.
- Set a device code and be aware of who has physical access to your phone. Someone who has physical access to your phone might use your WhatsApp account without your permission.
Picture Credit: WhatsApp
“To protect your account, WhatsApp will send you a push notification when someone tries to register a WhatsApp account with your phone number,” WhatsApp explained.
“To keep your account safe, don’t share your verification code with others.”
It’s the same for any type of code: you can’t be entirely sure what service the person is trying to break into.
So never give any code you receive over text to anyone else.
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WhatsApp also warned that it’s effectively impossible for them to identify who is trying to break into your account.
And while logged in, they’d be able to read any texts that you receive.
However, they wouldn’t be able to read your past conversations, WhatsApp said.
