Billions of WhatsApp users warned over bank-emptying scam text – check your app right now
WHATSAPP users have been warned about scams that can steal all of their funds.
Bad actors have been targeting WhatsApp users via a number of scams.
“If there’s one messaging app that scammers can easily exploit to steal your money and identity, it’s WhatsApp,” cybersecurity company Aura writes in a blog post.
“With over two billion monthly active users, WhatsApp has become a popular platform for scammers to ensnare their targets,” the company added.
Below we have shared one of the biggest scams you might come across on WhatsApp: Verification scams.
VERIFICATION SCAMS
Verification code scams consist of a bad actor trying to log into your WhatsApp account from their device.
They do this by trying to get you to send them a verification code that gives them access to your WhatsApp account.
Aura explains how this works: “You receive an unexpected message with a verification code from an unknown number.
“The unknown sender will apologize for sending you their WhatsApp verification code.
“Following this, they will press you to share that code with them.”
Once a threat actor obtains your verification code, they can now take over your WhatsApp account and lock you out.
This means they will have access to all of your chats, photos you’ve sent, and sensitive information you have divulged.
What’s more, if you have payment methods linked to your account, they can access that too.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
While verification code scams are scary, there are ways to mitigate your risk of falling victim to one.
“If you get a text message with an unexpected verification code, delete it,” Aura says.
To that end, block any WhatsApp user that asks you to send them a code or PIN.
“Finally, turn on two-step verification if you receive multiple one-time codes out of the blue,” Aura added.