WhatsApp users are urged to stay vigilant and adhere to three new guidelines to safeguard their accounts. Action Fraud reports a significant increase in incidents of WhatsApp takeovers, where cybercriminals gain access to accounts and send fraudulent messages to contacts. In some cases, the legitimate user is locked out, preventing them from warning others about the breach.
These attacks typically begin with a request for the account’s activation code, which is exploited to gain unauthorized entry. Action Fraud emphasizes the importance of following three rules to prevent falling victim to such scams.
“Protect your WhatsApp account from hackers,” Action Fraud advised on Twitter. The organization highlights the growing trend of WhatsApp account takeovers and stresses the necessity of verifying accounts and enabling two-step verification. With this feature activated, unauthorized logins are blocked unless verified on a secondary device, enabling users to thwart unauthorized access attempts promptly.
To activate two-step verification, users can navigate to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable within the WhatsApp app. Additionally, users are urged not to share any codes sent to their phones to maintain account security.
Action Fraud also emphasizes the “STOP. THINK. CALL” approach, advising users to verify unusual requests from family or friends on WhatsApp by contacting them directly. This is crucial due to the prevalence of scams like the “Hi mum” scam, which exploits emotional manipulation to swindle money from unsuspecting individuals.
It is essential for WhatsApp users to update their app regularly and ensure its security to mitigate the risk of falling prey to cybercriminals.