WHATSAPP users have been putting their phones at risk by making this one mistake.

Tech experts are warning Brits to be careful of a clever scam that has been sweeping the nation.

Whatsapp users are being tricked into handing over their account to scammers

1

Whatsapp users are being tricked into handing over their account to scammersCredit: Getty

The attack revolves around the six-digit verification code that WhatsApp gives out when you want to regain access to your account.

It also involves a hacker taking control of one of your contact’s WhatsApp accounts and messaging you pretending to be them.

The hacker will message pretending to be your friend around the same time you get a text or email from WhatsApp with a verification code that the hacker has requested by pretending to be you.

This code is only given when you try and make changes to your account.

WhatsApp is changing voice notes - and it could spare you from embarrassment
Stephen Bear’s girlfriend reveals texts as shamed star is moved into isolation

The hacker – posing as your friend – will pretend they’ve accidentally asked for the verification code to be sent to your number and will ask you to send it over.

You should never share the six-digit code with anyone.

If you do, the hacker will be able to take over your account.

You’ll no longer have access to your account and the hacker can try and scam your friends and read your private messages.

Most read in Tech

If you do get a suspicious message from a friend, try ringing them to see if you can talk to them in person and verify what is going on.

Action Fraud is now telling users what they need to do to keep their devices safe…

• 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.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

They Cracked the Code to a Locked USB Drive Worth $235 Million in Bitcoin. Then It Got Weird

Because the chip’s read-only memory, or ROM, is built into the layout…

Google plots cheap new rival to Amazon Fire TV Stick – and fans are hoping it’ll solve ‘lousy’ storage issue

GOOGLE is reportedly planning a brand new budget TV streaming device to…

‘You are a god for this one’ say PS5 users after trying gamer’s trick that instantly unlocks valuable free storage

GAMERS are overjoyed after discovering a genius trick to instantly free up…

Not All Bots Are Bad, and Twitter Knows It

But bots don’t even need to be useful. “I don’t think bots…