There are numerous scams about WhatsApp. But now there is a particularly mean one in circulation that, in the worst case, can cost users their WhatsApp account.
A single call via WhatsApp can currently cause great damage. At least when users enter a specific sequence of digits. But what exactly is behind the current WhatsApp scam with the call? TECHBOOK explains.
Scammers are currently sending messages through Messenger asking users to call back a specific number. However, the phone number contains a certain sequence of digits that are entered into the phone to start the WhatsApp call, allowing fraudsters to hijack the account. So if you are currently receiving WhatsApp messages asking you to call a special number, you should be careful. As Computer BILD warns, the new scam behind it first appeared in India.
Fraud via WhatsApp call – beware of this sequence of digits
The colleagues at ComputerBILD warn that the fraudulent phone numbers can be recognized by a sequence of digits that are given with an asterisk. The new scam appeared for the first time in India. For Germany, the dangerous number combination is **21*, in previous cases – especially in India – the phone number was preceded by **67* or *405*.
The characters, which initially appear harmless, are a so-called GSM code, which serves as a control command for smartphones. This allows fraudsters to set up call diversions and call blocks – and ultimately redirect all calls to the fraudsters’ devices.
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After a call, the account is gone
What happens after a call to this number? According to ComputerBILD, criminals take over their victims’ WhatsApp accounts and deposit their own smartphone as a new device. Since a new WhatsApp device can usually be confirmed by a control call, verification by means of call forwarding is not a problem. The specialist magazine warns that fraudsters can legitimate themselves as users of the account and possibly change the phone number and thus gain full control over the account.
This means: It will be difficult to get your own account back because fraudsters can now log in. The specialist magazine warns that scammers use the situation and send messages to their own contacts on behalf of the victims or spread the manipulated phone number further in order to take over other accounts.
Would you like to know how you can access important WhatsApp messages quickly and without having to search for a long time? Then take a look at our tip:
How can you protect yourself?
Basically, it is relatively easy to protect yourself from the WhatsApp call scam. First of all, you should always be careful when receiving messages from unknown users. It is best to block the contact and delete the message. To block a contact on WhatsApp and avoid a possible scam like the call, go to the relevant chat and click on the three dots icon at the top right. Under “More” you will find the “Block” option, which prevents the contact from sending you further messages in the future.
You should definitely ignore messages whose recipient you do not know. Never call a phone number given there! In order to protect your own WhatsApp account from call fraud or similar scams, it is also advisable to activate two-factor authentication. And this is how it can be set up:
- In the app, click the three dots icon in the top right corner
- Go to “Settings” and then to “Account”
- Here you will find the “Two-Step Verification”
- Activate them and set a 6-digit code that only you know
With material from dpa