Watch Out For Criminals Of WhatsApp Scam Who Offer False Technical Support
In recent weeks, a false message attributed to the messaging network has been circulating and propagating on WhatsApp in which users are told that their account “has been requested on a new mobile device” and, therefore, they are asked to confirm if they made the request. If they decide not to answer, points out the false message, the account “will be deleted for security”.
“WhatsApp technical support reports that your account has been requested on a new mobile device. To confirm that it was you who performed the operation, say *YES*; if your answer is negative, it must be *NO*; If you do not receive a prompt response, your WhatsApp account will be deleted for security and that of other users, “reads the message that would have the purpose of accessing and stealing user information.
The attempted theft of your personal information begins when the aforementioned message arrives at your cell phone number associated with your WhatsApp account. The photo of the scammer posing as a Whatsapp operator is the app’s icon, and the scam account is associated with a phone number in the United States. Although, in recent weeks, victims have denounced that this modality has also been registered with numbers of Colombian operators.
If you delay in answering – you should never do so, the Police assures – you may receive another message: “Confirm identity if it was you who logged in!”, in bold and an exclamation point.
From the outset and to begin to doubt that it is a scam in progress, WhatsApp itself indicates in its frequently asked questions section that the verification code received by SMS should never be shared with other people, and that it should only be started to associate our WhatsApp account to a new device during the initial setup process.
In case you receive a verification codeWithout having requested it, it is most likely that someone has entered your mobile number when logging into WhatsApp, either by mistake, or maliciously with the aim of seizing control of your account. This is what the andro4all.com website warns, which also adds that new forms of theft or WhatsApp scams are configured every day.
Victims of this type of scam explain that cybercriminals, after taking control, usually ask for money from the impersonated user’s contacts.
In addition, according to the Police, through the Cybernetic Center and the Cyber Gaula , this is a modality that cybercriminals are using to steal other personal data. “If you answer, you may be giving access to have abad software that will steal your security information, remember that, through smartphones, we even do our banking”, explains a cybercrime investigator from the National Police.
Faced with this type of message, the researchers suggest, it is best to block these numbers and ignore this type of message.This type of scam is a ‘phishing’ campaign, a term which refers to the way in which cybercriminals impersonate an identity and deceive victims by impersonating a person or company.
This new modality of deception used by criminals joins those that have also been published on the same platform in which fabulous credits and great job opportunities are offered.
That will never be the official line to search for personnel or to offer, banks, credits of any kind, immediately distrust these types of messages. The same IT division of the Police indicates that “this will never be the official line to search for personnel or to offer, banks, credits of any kind, immediately distrust this type of message .”
According to the Gaula Cyber Center website, you should take into account the following recommendations: the presence of questionable links, emails or WhatsApp messages sent by unknown senders; warn of the presence of serious spelling or writing errors. Those would be, among others, the first alerts to know that it is a possible scam.
In conclusion, if you receive messages similar to the one reviewed, it is best to ignore it. It is advisable to report the alleged crime to the authorities and block the account that sent you the message , so that WhatsApp decides to suspend it.
Sophia Tesfaye is one of the highly experienced employees among the staff at the The Conway Bulletin News portal. Sophia handles our Finance and Technology column. She is an immensely knowledgeable person. She loves reading books, and by book, it means of all the genres. Maximum of the time she is found in the office library searching for topics for her articles. She is an excellent team leader and unique in her ways.
