WhatsApp users must check app NOW and ‘be on guard’ after crooks infiltrate more than 600 accounts
WHATSAPP users have been warned about a new devastating scam after more than 600 victims came forward to police this year in the UK alone.
This latest fraudulent stunt has been targeting large group chats on the popular messaging app.
“WhatsApp remains an integral mode of communication for many people across the UK, however fraudsters still find ways to infiltrate these platforms,” warned Detective Superintendent Gary Miles, Head of the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau at the City of London Police.
“Sadly, anyone can be become a target for fraud.
“With more than 630 reports already this year, we are urging users, and in particular those in big group chats on WhatsApp, to be on their guard and monitor who joins the chats.”
It starts when a member of the group receives a WhatsApp audio call from a cyber scammer pretending to be someone else in the group, according to Action Fraud.
They usually have a fake profile picture or display name to lure you in at first glance.
The bad actor will then inform the victim that they are sending them a one-time passcode to allow them to take part in an upcoming video call among group members.
This passcode is actually used to access your account on a new device – but the fraudster will say they need it so the victim is registered to take part in the video call.
Getting hold of this passcode is a common tactic used by cyber crooks.
It means they can then go onto message your friends, family and other contacts appearing as you.
They usually ask people to transfer money urgently – another common tactic seen in the so-called “hi mum” scam.
“To keep yourself safe from fraud, never share your account details or any passcode or verification codes with anyone,” Detective Superintendent Gary Miles added.
“If you think you are being targeted, report the message and block the sender within WhatsApp.
“To make your account more secure, we advise setting up two-step verification to provide an extra layer of protection.”
HOW TO SET UP PROTECT YOURSELF
WhatsApp users are urged to set-up two-step verification to provide themselves an extra layer of protection.
The two-step verification PIN is different from the 6-digit registration code you receive via SMS or phone call.
To switch it on go to:
- Settings
- Account
- Two-step verification
- Enable
The top three targeted group chat types are Islamic religious groups (63), Christian religious groups (56) and work chats (50), according to Action Fraud data.
“All personal messages sent on WhatsApp are protected by end-to-end encryption, but we can all play a role in keeping our accounts safe,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
“We recommend that all users set up two-step verification for added security and advise people never to share their six-digit PIN code with others, not even with friends or family.
“If you receive a suspicious message (even if you think you know who it’s from), calling or requesting a voice-note is the fastest and simplest way to check that someone is who they say they are.”
How to protect yourself from scams
BY keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid getting caught up in a scam:
- Firstly, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is.
- Check brands are “verified” on Facebook and Twitter pages – this means the company will have a blue tick on its profile.
- Look for grammatical and spelling errors; fraudsters are notoriously bad at writing proper English. If you receive a message from a “friend” informing you of a freebie, consider whether it’s written in your friend’s normal style.
- If you’re invited to click on a URL, hover over the link to see the address it will take you to – does it look genuine?
- To be on the really safe side, don’t click on unsolicited links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact.
- Be careful when opening email attachments too. Fraudsters are increasingly attaching files, usually PDFs or spreadsheets, which contain dangerous malware.
- If you receive a suspicious message then report it to the company, block the sender and delete it.
- If you think you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its online fraud reporting tool.