It is an undeniable fact that a majority of the smartphones in the world use WhatsApp as a major messaging platform. However, while holding the title of being the most popular messaging platform, WhatsApp has suffered from multiple scams over the years and there’s a new one to add to the list.
A 31-year-old lady had recently filed a complaint to the Ladysmith police station of being affected by a terrible WhatsApp scam. The woman had received a message with a WhatsApp code on her phone. She got a call from an unknown male voice after that, asking for the code. Once that happened, she reported that her WhatsApp wasn’t working for the next 2 hours.
She got worried when her friends started calling her later, asking about her whereabouts and her well-being. She was shocked to learn that they had received WhatsApp messages from her number, asking them for money and airtime. The messages claimed that she was in trouble and could be arrested if the money or airtime was not sent immediately. In order to save her, some of her friends paid money and others paid for airtime.
The scammer hasn’t been identified yet and has been reportedly attacking other users as well.
What can you do to stay safe from this scam? Do not respond to any code received in your message inbox while you are using WhatsApp. The app only asks for a code when you are reinstalling the app on your phone or installing it on a new phone. Delete such messages immediately and don’t reveal that code to any unknown person over the phone. Reinstall WhatsApp if you receive such codes in your messages. Also, inform the police about the number that enquired about that received code on your phone.
Always remember that WhatsApp doesn’t communicate with its users in any other way than official announcements. If there is any communication from WhatsApp regarding its services, you will always get to know it first from various organised news sources.
