WhatsApp usage has skyrocketed in the lockdown period as evident by a 40 percent increase in usage. It has also become a larger target for hackers.
According to WABetaInfo, many of its users are seeing messages that are seemingly from the WhatsApp Technical Team and they are asking for a six-digit verification code that comes when users register their accounts.
The scammers are using the app logo as a profile picture and many unsuspecting users are providing the codes. WhatsApp Inc. does not usually contact its users but when it does, there is a green verified tick next to it. Check out this tweet here:
This is #FAKE. WhatsApp doesn't message you on WhatsApp, and if they do (for global announcements, but it's soooo rare), a green verified indicator is visible.
WhatsApp never asks your data or verification codes.@WhatsApp should ban this account. 😅 https://t.co/nnOehPL8Ca— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 27, 2020
After they get the code, the hackers take control of the account and send out illegal messages and download their pictures from backup.
If the account is compromised, the user is automatically signed out from the device. The user must then re-verify the account quickly.
WhatsApp Inc. says on its FAQ page, “To keep your account safe, don’t share your verification code with others. When you receive this notification, it means that someone has entered your phone number and requested the registration code. This often happens if another user mistyped your number when trying to enter their own number to register, and can also happen when someone attempts to take over your account.”
