How It Works and How to Protect Yourself
Suchadaaloha, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A new WhatsApp scam is making the rounds, and it’s more deceptive than ever. This scam involves fraudsters tricking users into sharing their One-Time Password (OTP), which allows the scammers to hijack their WhatsApp accounts. Here’s a detailed look at how this scam operates and what you can do to safeguard yourself.
A new WhatsApp scam is making the rounds, and it’s more deceptive than ever. This scam involves fraudsters tricking users into sharing their One-Time Password (OTP), which allows the scammers to hijack their WhatsApp accounts. Here’s a detailed look at how this scam operates and what you can do to safeguard yourself.
How the Scam Works
- Initial Contact: The scam begins with the scammer contacting you, often posing as a friend or family member. They might claim to have an emergency or some urgent need to get your attention. For instance, you might receive a message saying, “Hey, it’s me. I accidentally sent you an OTP. Can you please send it back to me? It’s urgent”.
- Request for OTP: The scammer then asks you to share the OTP that you received via SMS. This OTP is actually a verification code sent by WhatsApp for logging into your account on a new device. By sharing this code, you inadvertently give the scammer access to your WhatsApp account2.
- Account Hijacking: Once the scammer has the OTP, they can log into your WhatsApp account on their device. This action logs you out of your account, and the scammer can now impersonate you, sending messages to your contacts and potentially scamming them as well.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never Share OTPs: Under no circumstances should you share your OTP with anyone, even if they claim to be a friend or family member. WhatsApp will never ask for your OTP, and legitimate contacts will not need it.
- Enable Two-Step Verification: Activate two-step verification on your WhatsApp account. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a PIN in addition to the OTP. To enable this, go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.
- Verify Contacts: If you receive a suspicious message, verify the identity of the sender by calling them directly or using another communication method. Do not rely solely on the message you received.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the latest scams and share this information with friends and family. Awareness is a powerful tool in preventing fraud.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect that your account has been compromised or you receive a suspicious message, report it to WhatsApp immediately. This helps the platform take action against scammers and protect other users.
By following these steps, you can protect yourself from falling victim to this latest WhatsApp scam. Remember, vigilance and caution are your best defenses against fraud.
