WhatsApp Users Warned of Rising Scam Threat – Protect Your Account Now
London, UK – A new wave of WhatsApp scams is sweeping across Europe, with reports concentrated in Poland, Romania, and Germany, and potential for expansion to the UK. Security firm Bitdefender is urging users to remain vigilant and follow key safety measures to prevent account compromise.
The scams typically involve attempts to gain access to a user’s WhatsApp account through verification codes. Bitdefender advises users to never share their six-digit WhatsApp verification code with anyone, even trusted contacts like friends or family.
To further protect themselves, WhatsApp users should:
* Verify requests for money or favours with a direct phone call to the sender.
* Report suspicious messages directly within WhatsApp by selecting “More → report.”
If a user suspects their account has been hacked,Bitdefender recommends these steps:
* Request a new WhatsApp verification code to regain control.
* Contact WhatsApp support at support@whatsapp.com.
* Notify your bank promptly if any unauthorized money transfers have occurred.
* Alert your contacts that your account may have been compromised.
whatsapp itself reinforces the importance of code security, stating on its help page, “To protect your account, WhatsApp will send you a push notification when someone tries to register a WhatsApp account with your phone number…You should never share your WhatsApp verification code with others.” The company explains that receiving a notification indicates someone is attempting to register an account using your phone number.
