You should hang up a call or stop replying to an unknown user
WhatsApp logo(Image: Getty Images)
Scam text messages are now prevalent than ever nowadays, it can be easy to fall victim to a scam if you aren’t careful. Many text messages we receive may sound convincing but you should think twice before clicking a link or answering.
One text message is doing the rounds on WhatsApp and is sweeping across parts of Europe, if you are affected by the scam it could leave you locked out of your WhatsApp account and put you at risk of losing money. The text message says: “Hi! Please vote for Adeline in this contest, she’s the daughter of a close friend. The main prize is a scholarship abroad. Thank you so much!”
If you click on a link you’ll be taken to a fake website where you’ll be asked to vote. A message will pop up asking for your phone number, along with a code that will be sent to the device. The scam is aimed at getting access to WhatsApp accounts.
Once a cybercriminal obtains a phone number and the WhatsApp security code you’ve just provided, they can then access your account and lock you out of it.
This latest threat has been spotted by the team at Bitdefender, the antivirus company said: “This gives attackers instant access to their accounts, which they then use to propagate the scam and defraud new victims of money.”
Guidance continued: “Bitdefender Labs has been monitoring a rapidly expanding campaign that exploits WhatsApp users through fraudulent “voting contests” to take over accounts and steal money.
“This ‘Vote for My Child’ scam hijacks accounts by tricking users into sharing their verification codes, turning friends and family into unknowing amplifiers of the fraud.”
WhatsApp has shared ways people can protect themselves from scams. It says: “Suspicious or scam messages can occur when an unsaved WhatsApp user tries to trick you into sharing personal or financial information. Learn more about how to identify suspicious messages.”
How to protect yourself
Look out for suspicious behaviour:
- Are they using an unknown number?
- Are they being threatening or asking you to trust them?
- Are they asking you to transfer money or share a password, pin, or personal information?
Stop the conversation
Hang up a call or stop replying to the user. If you can’t verify the contact’s identity, do not share any personal or financial information.
Block and report
Block the user to stop them from contacting you, and report them to WhatsApp.