WhatsApp fraud: How to spot three different scams - and prevent them

Withhackersand fraudsters getting more intelligent by the day, online safety is more important than ever - including at WhatsApp. The platform - which stands out for its end-to-end encryption - has become a target forhackers, so here’s how to spot and preventfraudto keep you safe online.

WhatsApp is an instant messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by Meta. Founded in February 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, WhatsApp is the world’s most popular messaging service.

However, due to its popularity, the service is often targeted by cybercriminals and theirscamshave become more personalised and harder to decipher. Cybersecurity experts fromVPN Overviewcan help with this by explaining what WhatsAppfraudis, how to recognise WhatsAppscamsand how to prevent them.

What is the WhatsApp friend or family emergency scam?

WhatsAppfraudinvolves cybercriminals pretending to be someone known by the victim and asking for money. They pose as friends or family members with urgent financial needs, leading to victims losing thousands of pounds.

Cybercriminals use familiar profile pictures and information from social media to deceive victims.

What is WhatsApp hijacking?

WhatsApp hijacking involves unauthorised access to a victim’s WhatsApp account by a cybercriminal, who then uses it to commit fraudulent activities. This form offraudis more convincing to the victim as it appears to be coming from a known contact.

The cybercriminal gains unauthorised access to an account through a number of ways…

What is WhatsApp voicemail box hijacking?

Another common trick for fraudsters is breaking into voicemail boxes to steal WhatsApp verification codes. They ask to receive a call instead of a text message, so they can call the victim’s phone number at the same time and redirect the code to the voicemail box.

Many people fail to secure their voicemail boxes, making it easy for fraudsters to retrieve the code and take over the victim’s account. Once they have control, it is easy for the fraudster to defraud the victim’s contacts and take over their accounts.

Individuals should adequately secure their accounts and be cautious of unexpected messages or calls asking for personal information or money.

How to spot a WhatsApp scam

Spotting a WhatsAppscamcan be difficult but there’s a few things you can keep an eye out for. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency and will put pressure on you to give out personal information or make a payment quickly.

Messages from a scammer will often include poor grammar and poor English and will come from an unknown number. Conversations may start about a specific issue but will become a transactional conversation where the scammer will make a request.

How to prevent WhatsApp fraud

Ways to prevent WhatsAppfraud包括检查语言交流yle of the message and don’t offer out any information if you feel a fraudster is putting pressure on you. Also, if the scammer tells you they’re an acquaintance, ask them a question only a friend would know.

You can also protect your phone from hacking by securing your voicemail with a personal code and setting up a "2-Factor Authentication" on WhatsApp.