Be wary if you receive a message from WhatsApp informing you of a serious security problem: this is a new scam to take over your account and all associated data!
With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is a prime target for cybercriminals. Many scammers use the popular messaging service to set up scams aimed at stealing personal data, extorting money or hacking devices. Because while WhatsApp is known for its high level of security, there is still one flaw that is impossible to fill: you. Thanks to social engineering techniques, cybercriminals are able to access your account. Fake text messages are currently circulating, supposedly coming from the WhatsApp security center, as reported by Internal Watchlistt. The message states that your account is at risk and that you need to verify it in the official security center. Do not click on the link under any circumstances! Criminals use it to steal your data and try to log in with your phone number on a third-party device!
WhatsApp scam: beware of the verification code
It all starts with a text message supposedly sent by WhatsApp: “WhatsApp Security Center has detected that your account is at risk. Please go to the official security center to check: whatscapp.cc.” You are then prompted to click on the link. As you might expect, it is actually fraudulent and does not redirect you to the official website at all. Instead, you will be redirected to a fake WhatsApp help page that will ask you to enter your phone number.
If you provide your phone number, a message will inform you of “unusual fluctuations in your account”. Next, you will be asked to open the linked device’s settings in WhatsApp. The criminals will send you detailed instructions on how to do this, claiming that this process is necessary to “restore account security”. In the meantime, they will use your phone number to link it to a third-party device. However, this manipulation is only possible with a security code, which they will try to extract from you. If you follow the instructions, the scammers will have access to your WhatsApp account – and all the associated information – and will then have plenty of time to steal your identity to trap your contacts and extract money from them via PayPal links.
If you find yourself in this situation, end the conversation immediately. To avoid getting scammed, enable two-factor authentication by going to “Settings,” then “Account,” then “Two-Step Verification,” and finally “Activate.” This adds an extra layer of protection. Never share your account activation code—the famous six-digit code. Finally, report spam messages and block the sender.