A new WhatsApp scam has emerged, the modus operandi of which sees scammers posing as technical staff of the company and stealing data from your account using the secret verification code.
To convince users to share the verification code, scammers are using the WhatsApp logo as their profile picture.
As per reports, Twitter user Dario Navarro received a fishy Spanish message from the scammers in which he was asked to verify his identity by providing a six-digit verification code that comes via an SMS.
When Navarro queried about the fishy message, WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo took to social media to alert users about the new scam.
This is #FAKE. WhatsApp doesn't message you on WhatsApp, and if they do (for global announcements, but it's soooo rare), a green verified indicator is visible.
WhatsApp never asks your data or verification codes.@WhatsApp should ban this account. 😅 https://t.co/nnOehPL8Ca— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 27, 2020
WhatsApp teams use social media channels, including Twitter or the company’s official blog, to send public notifications and not the messaging app, WhatsApp.
The verification code is for securing user accounts on a new device. WhatsApp doesn’t ask for any personal information, including verification codes.
Talking about the new scam, the company wrote in its FAQs section, “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 use your phone number on WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp has warned users not to share the SMS verification code with anyone on its website.
In case you’ve unintentionally shared the verification code with someone, you can get back your stolen account by re-verifying your phone number.
