WhatsApp scam: Fake security alert claims account compromised

WhatsApp account at risk! This is what criminals are trying to fool WhatsApp users via SMS.

In order to scare WhatsApp users, criminals are currently resorting to a new scam. Using fraudulent SMS messages that pretend to have been sent by the WhatsApp Security Center, they claim that the user’s account is in danger, as “Mimikama” reports.

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This is what the fake message looks like

“The WhatsApp Security Center has detected that your account is compromised. Please go to the official security center to verify: whatscapp.cc”

The message asks those affected to check in the “official security center”. Although the wording sounds trustworthy, the message contains a number of Spelling mistakeswhich indicates a scam.

A fake link is also sent along with the message. WhatsApp users should not click on this under any circumstances. Otherwise, the victims will end up on an imitation website that looks like the official WhatsApp help page.

On this fake page, victims are then asked to enter their mobile number. The fraud victims then receive another fake message informing them of “unusual fluctuations” in their account. Therefore, those affected should change the settings for linked devices in WhatsApp.

Background of this action

While the victims confirm a new WhatsApp connection themselves, the fraudsters use the victim’s phone number in the background to connect it to a foreign device. However, this only works if the criminals extract the security code from the fraud victims.

The bad guys then gain full access to the account and can steal personal data (such as phone numbers, photos, or personal information from chats).

In addition, the crooks can write to the contacts of the deceived people in their name and use this method to make fraudulent offers or ask for money.

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How to protect yourself

• Never click on suspicious links.
• Pay attention to spelling mistakes and grammar.
• Check content. App updates are offered directly through the application. WhatsApp does not generally inform its users about security issues via SMS.
• If the account is already affected, remove all linked devices from the WhatsApp account.
• Inform all contacts about the incident.
• Report the fraud to the police.