WhatsApp verification code phishing is a type of scam where cybercriminals try to verify a WhatsApp account using your phone number. They do this by sending you a text message containing a verification code and tricking you into giving them the code. Once they have the verification code, they can register your phone number with their version of WhatsApp and gain access to your account.
How does WhatsApp verification code phishing work?
The scam typically works in the following way:
- The attacker obtains your phone number, either through a data breach, by purchasing it illegally online, or through social engineering tactics.
- They try to activate your number on a new device to access your WhatsApp account.
- WhatsApp detects this and sends a 6-digit verification code to your number.
- The attacker then contacts you pretending to be from WhatsApp, your mobile carrier, or a government agency. They claim you must share the code you received via SMS for some made up reason, like activating your new SIM card.
- If you provide them with the code, they can register your number on their device and gain full access to your WhatsApp messages, contacts, photos, videos, and more.
The key thing is that official organizations like WhatsApp or your carrier will never ask for your verification code. The scammers rely on tricking you into thinking they are legitimate.
Examples of WhatsApp verification code phishing messages
Here are some examples of the messages you might receive from scammers executing this scam:
- “Your WhatsApp account has been hacked. Please send us the verification code you received to secure your account.”
- “Your phone number has been selected to receive a free gift. Please reply with the code we sent you via SMS to claim it.”
- “There was an error with your recent SIM card activation. Please share the WhatsApp code you received so we can fix the issue.”
- “You must validate your identity by sending us the code you received from WhatsApp. This is required by [insert fake government agency here] to unlock your account.”
As you can see, the messages aim to trick you into thinking there is some urgent reason you need to share the code. But real organizations would never operate this way.
How to recognize WhatsApp verification code phishing
Here are some tips to recognize and avoid WhatsApp verification code scams:
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited message asking for a code, especially via SMS/text message.
- WhatsApp and your mobile carrier will never contact you asking for a verification code.
- Government agencies will not contact you out of the blue requesting codes.
- Don’t click on any links in messages asking for codes. Type the URL directly into your browser.
- Never call a phone number left in a suspicious message. Look up official contact info and call that number.
- If you receive a verification code out of the blue, don’t share it with anyone and report it to WhatsApp.
- Turn on two-factor authentication in WhatsApp to add an extra layer of security.
As long as you remember that official organizations won’t unexpectedly ask for your codes, you can avoid being tricked. Legitimate verification codes are only meant to be entered in the app they were intended for, like WhatsApp.
What to do if you shared your WhatsApp code
If you accidentally already shared your WhatsApp verification code with an attacker, take these steps immediately:
- Open WhatsApp and enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Contact friends and family and warn them not to open any suspicious messages “from you.” Explain that your account was compromised.
- Report the issue to WhatsApp directly so they can try to block the unauthorized login.
- Change your WhatsApp password and update your security questions/answers if applicable.
- Add an extra layer of authentication like fingerprint unlock to help secure your account.
- Run a virus scan on your device in case of malware infection.
- Monitor your WhatsApp activity and messages closely for signs of further misuse.
- Notify your contacts and request they report any unusual messages received from your compromised account.
By taking quick action, you can try to lock the scammers out and prevent further abuse of your account. Make sure your friends know to stay vigilant for any suspicious WhatsApp activity going forward.
How to stay safe from WhatsApp verification code phishing
Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to these scams in the first place:
- Never share verification codes with anyone. Legit organizations won’t ask for them.
- Enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp for extra security.
- Be wary of unsolicited messages and calls asking for personal information.
- Don’t click links in suspicious messages. Navigate to sites manually.
- Update WhatsApp frequently to get the latest security fixes.
- Set a strong password and security questions in your WhatsApp account.
- Back up your WhatsApp messages and media in case your account is compromised.
- Avoid jailbreaking or rooting your mobile device as this disables some security features.
Staying vigilant against potential scams and following good security practices will help keep your WhatsApp account safe.
Reporting WhatsApp verification code phishing
If you receive a suspicious message asking for your WhatsApp verification code, you should report it for abuse. Here’s how:
- In WhatsApp: Open the chat, tap More > Report Contact > Report spam/fraud.
- Via email: Send details to [email protected]
- Online: Visit www.whatsapp.com/contact to file a report.
WhatsApp takes abuse seriously and your report can help them block scammers and prevent others from being targeted.
Some other ways to report WhatsApp phishing include:
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov
- Report via email to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
The more reports authorities receive about WhatsApp verification code phishing campaigns, the better chance they have at tracking down the scammers behind them.
Key takeaways on WhatsApp verification code phishing
To recap, here are the key things to know about WhatsApp verification code scams:
- Attackers try to verify your number on new devices via SMS codes.
- They trick you into sharing the 6-digit verification code WhatsApp sends.
- Sharing the code lets them login as you and access your account.
- Never give out verification codes from WhatsApp or other services.
- Use extra authentication protections like 2FA to enhance security.
- Recognize the scam: legitimate companies won’t unexpectedly ask for codes.
- Report phishing attempts to WhatsApp, law enforcement, and anti-fraud groups.
Staying vigilant for this scam and keeping your verification codes private will help you avoid compromising your WhatsApp account to phishers. Remember to use sound security practices and don’t hesitate to report anything suspicious you encounter. Spread awareness so others don’t fall victim to these malicious phishing tactics targeting WhatsApp users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do WhatsApp scammers want my verification code?
WhatsApp scammers want your verification code so they can register your phone number on a new device. This allows them to activate your WhatsApp account on that device and gain full access as if they were you. With your code, they can bypass WhatsApp’s authentication system.
How did scammers get my phone number?
Scammers likely obtained your phone number through illegal data breaches, by purchasing it on the dark web, using phishing pages to harvest numbers, sending out malware, or through social engineering ploys. They target active WhatsApp numbers at scale.
What should I do if I lost access to my WhatsApp account?
If scammers used your code and you lost access to your WhatsApp account, contact WhatsApp support immediately to try to recover it. Enable two-factor authentication once you regain access for improved security. Reset your password, update your security questions/answers, and monitor closely for further suspicious activity.
Why does WhatsApp send a verification code?
WhatsApp uses a verification code sent via SMS when you register your number for the first time. This confirms you control the phone number. They also send codes when you add WhatsApp to a new device to verify your identity and prevent unauthorized logins.
Can I tell if someone verified my WhatsApp account elsewhere?
If someone uses your code to verify your WhatsApp account on another device, you will immediately be logged out of all active sessions. You will have to reverify your number via a new 6-digit code to log back in. This is a sign your account was compromised and verified elsewhere.
WhatsApp Verification Code Phishing – Summary Table
| What it is | How it works | Protect yourself | If you shared your code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scammers try to activate your WhatsApp account on a new device using SMS verification codes | They trick you into giving them the 6-digit code sent by WhatsApp to your phone | – Never share verification codes – Enable 2FA – Recognize scams |
– Contact WhatsApp support immediately – Enable 2FA – Warn your contacts – Change your password |
Conclusion
WhatsApp verification code phishing is a dangerous scam that can compromise your account and privacy. The scam relies on deceiving users into handing over the SMS verification code WhatsApp sends when registering a phone number. This grants the scammer full access to your account.
Remember never to share verification codes with anyone, no matter how convincing their story sounds. Enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. Recognize the signs of phishing attempts and immediately report any suspicious activity to WhatsApp. Following strong security practices can help you avoid becoming the victim of these malicious scams threatening WhatsApp users.