Incidents of WhatsApp hacking and scams are on the rise! To protect yourself from these growing threats, follow these steps to secure your WhatsApp and stay alert to common scams.
🛡️ How to Secure Your WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Go to Settings (found at the bottom right corner).
- Tap on Privacy.
- Scroll down and tap on Advanced.
- Enable the following settings:
- Protect IP address in calls
- Disable link previews
Once these settings are enabled, your IP address is protected, making it much harder for hackers to access your account. This step significantly reduces the risk of your WhatsApp being hacked.
⚠️ SCAM ALERT – Watch Out for Fake Messages!
Scammers are increasingly cloning WhatsApp accounts and sending messages from familiar numbers, like those of friends or family. These messages may look like this:
“Hi, I just sent you a code with six (6) numbers and deleted it on my side by accident. Please send me the code urgently.”
🚫 DO NOT RESPOND OR SEND ANY CODES!
This is a scam designed to steal your information, including access to your phone, banking apps, and personal data. Delete the message immediately!
🚨 Tips to Avoid Falling for Scams:
- Turn on Two-Step Verification to add an extra layer of protection:
- Open WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Select Two-step verification.
- Tap Turn on and set up a 6-digit PIN.
- Add an email address for account recovery.
- Tap Next and confirm your email address.
🚨 Stay Safe and Vigilant!
By securing your WhatsApp and being cautious about suspicious messages, you protect yourself from potential hacks and scams. Don’t respond to unknown or suspicious messages and never share your verification codes.
⚠️ How to Recognize and Protect Yourself from Hacked WhatsApp Accounts ⚠️
Staying alert when a known contact’s WhatsApp account is hacked can be challenging, but there are key signs to watch out for and steps you can take to protect yourself. Hackers often impersonate trusted contacts to deceive others into sharing sensitive information. Here’s how to stay vigilant:
- Be Suspicious of Unusual Behaviour
When a contact’s WhatsApp is hacked, their account may behave strangely. Here’s what to look out for:
- Unusual Messages: If the contact sends messages that don’t sound like them (e.g., asking for money urgently, sending strange links or codes), be suspicious. Hackers often impersonate loved ones to ask for money or other sensitive info.
- Changes in Language or Tone: If the way they communicate seems off (e.g., sudden informal language, or unusually urgent requests), it could be a sign that their account is compromised.
- New or Unexpected Requests: Hackers may ask for help, such as requesting you send them money, share personal details, or click on links that seem out of context.
Example:
Translated into English:
- How are you doing?
- I’m good, thank you, actually I need your help, please!
- How can I help you?
- I need someone who can lend me money, I want to transfer it to someone right now, my problem is that I’ve hit my daily limit, I’ll pay it back tomorrow morning.
- Analysis of the Conversation:
- This conversation is a good example of an unusual message with changes in language or tone, which could be a red flag when a contact’s account is hacked. Here’s why:
- Urgency: The request is urgent (“I need someone who can lend me money”), which is common in scams, where the hacker creates a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly without thinking.
- Informal and Unusual Request: While it’s not entirely out of character for someone to ask for financial help, the way the message is phrased could seem off. For example, it’s strange to mention “daily limits” as a reason for needing money, especially if the person you’re talking to isn’t someone you’d expect to ask for loans frequently.
- Spelling and Grammar: There are a few spelling mistakes, like “hoe gaan dir” instead of “hoe gaan dit”, and “ek is hoed” instead of “ek is goed”. While this might not always be a sign of hacking, small language errors are typical of scammers who may not be familiar with the person they’re impersonating.
- If you received a message like this from a contact, especially asking for money, verify through a different communication method before responding or sending any money. It is recommended that you block and report the user.
- Check for Irregularities in the Contact’s Profile
- Profile Picture Change: If a contact’s profile picture changes unexpectedly, it could be a sign that their account has been hijacked.
- Status Updates: Similarly, if their status message changes to something unusual (e.g., unfamiliar or cryptic), it’s worth investigating further.
- Don’t Respond to Suspicious Messages Immediately
If a message from a contact seems unusual or requests sensitive information (like money, codes, or access to accounts), do not respond right away. Instead:
- Verify Through Another Channel: Call or message them through a different communication platform (like phone, email, or a different social network) to verify whether the message was actually sent by them.
- Look for Typos or Errors: Hackers often make grammatical mistakes or use odd language. Pay close attention to how the message is written.
- Look for Odd WhatsApp Activity
- New Devices or Sessions: If you’re concerned about a contact’s account being compromised, ask them to check whether their WhatsApp has been logged into on a new device. WhatsApp allows users to check active sessions under Settings → Linked Devices. If they see unfamiliar devices or active sessions, it’s a strong indicator their account may have been hacked.
- Enable Two-Step Verification (for Your Own Account)
- Extra Protection: Turn on Two-Step Verification for your own WhatsApp to add an extra layer of security. This way, even if someone gets hold of your phone number, they won’t be able to log into your account without the PIN you set.
- Go to Settings → Account → Two-step verification → Enable.
- Watch for “Account Recovery” Scams
If your contact’s account has been hacked, the hacker may try to regain control of your account too. Watch out for messages like:
“Hi, I accidentally deleted my WhatsApp account and need the verification code sent to you. Can you send it to me?”
Never send the verification code to anyone, even if they appear to be a trusted contact. This is a common scam to hijack accounts.
- Report the Suspicious Account to WhatsApp
If you believe a contact’s WhatsApp account has been hacked:
- Report the Account to WhatsApp: You can report suspicious accounts by opening their chat, tapping on their name, and selecting Report Contact.
- Tell Your Contact Immediately: If possible, inform the person that their account may have been compromised, so they can take action (e.g., securing their account, changing passwords).
- Secure Your Own WhatsApp Account
To prevent your own account from being hacked and to make sure you’re always aware of any suspicious activity:
- Enable Two-Step Verification.
- Regularly Review Linked Devices: Check your Linked Devices in WhatsApp settings to see if any unfamiliar devices have access to your account.
- Be Careful with Links: Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious contacts.
- Use a Strong Password for your phone and any apps linked to WhatsApp (e.g., email, cloud backups, etc.).
- Educate Your Contacts
Help your friends and family secure their accounts as well:
- Encourage them to use Two-Step Verification.
- Teach them to be cautious with any message asking for personal or financial information.
- Remind them to verify any unusual requests via another communication method.
Bottom Line: Stay alert and always verify unusual messages with your contacts. If a hacker gains control of your contact’s WhatsApp account, they may attempt to manipulate you into sharing sensitive info or money. The more proactive you are in identifying suspicious activity, the better you’ll be at protecting yourself and your loved ones.
NCA (National Crime Assist)
PSIRA Reg Number: 3272600
Registration number: 2018/355789/08 K2018355789 (NPC)
Mobile: 082 578 4363 / 084 313 9815
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Website: https://www.nca247.org.za
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