WhatsApp has millions of users around the world. Since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the number of active users on the platform has grown by many folds as this is one of the easiest ways to connect with friends and family members while maintaining social distancing. Scammers and hackers have used this to their advantage to scam users and steal their personal data. The scam which is doing the rounds right now let’s scammers hack into your WhatsApp account using an OTP.
What is this WhatsApp OTP Scam?
This is an old trick that scammers have used to steal sensitive data. The fraudster sends you a message claiming to be your friend or relative. In many cases the fraudster will be messaging you from the friends’ actual number (who would already be a victim) instead of an unknown one. To grab your immediate attention, the fraudster describes some kind of emergency. After providing assurance of being your friend, the hacker will ask for an OTP, who the scamster describes as an accidental forward. The scammers will send multiple messages to lure you to forward the OTP.
The hacker wants to access your WhatsApp account through OTP validation. The moment you will share the OTP with the fraudster, you will be locked out of your WhatsApp account and the hacker will have the full access to your messages, WhatsApp-contacts and groups. The hacker may also request monetary help from your dear ones. The chain of event gets multiplied once the scammer hacks into your account.
Never Share OTP or Your Personal Information with Anyone.
What to DO If You Are a Victim?
If you become victim of this scam, reset WhatsApp & login to WhatsApp by requesting new OTP the moment you observe your WhatsApp logs you out. This prevents the fraudster getting more access to your data as it logs out the fraudster’s access instantly.
How to Stay Safe from This Scam?
Two-factor authentication on WhatsApp comes in handy for users who would want to prevent falling prey to these types of scams.
- Goto Settings.
- Select Account option.
- Tap ‘Two-Factor Authentication’ and enable the option.
- Enter the 6-digit PIN & Email-Address.
Rule of thumb to prevent this type of frauds: Never Share OTP or your personal information with anyone.
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