A new WhatsApp scam has surfaced that allows hackers to take over your account with one call. The hack was uncovered by a computer security researcher from CloudSEK, according to a GizChina report.
With over two billion users worldwide, it is no surprise that WhatsApp is a target for several bad actors. Meta, its parent company, has been working hard behind the scenes to tighten security. This measures are likely why many hack attempts never even make the news.
However, this latest security concern involves a phone call from an unknown source that instructs users to dial a specific number. Once unsuspecting users obey the instruction, the hacker takes over their account.
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The security researcher spreading awareness about the strategy says:
“Once the hacker gains access to the account, he demands money from the victim’s contacts. In this way, the hacker scams the victim’s WhatsApp contacts even before the latter realizes that he has lost control of his account. As service providers around the world use numbers beginning with ’67’ or ‘405’; victims tend to make the call without hesitation.”
Taking over a person’s WhatsApp account can be profitable for the hacker and harmful for the owner in so many ways. For example, the hacker can use their account to target contacts and defraud them through impersonation. Also, for those who use their account for business, hackers can quickly engage their customers and claim funds.
For now, the best way to protect yourself from this scam is to ask unknown callers to identify themselves. If the call does seem fishy, then, you should hang up. Something else you should not do is enter codes that you don’t understand. Some may make it seem like you are engaging in harmless fun until your privacy is compromised.
At the time that this article was published, WhatsApp had not released a statement confirming this hack.
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