WhatsApp users are being targeted by a clever new scam which tricks people into handing over private information to a fake account.
Criminals are reportedly posing as official WhatsApp support accounts claiming to offer help to users. Using convincing profile pictures and usernames, they’re trying to con people into handing over credit card details by threatening to delete their WhatsApp account.
According to WhatsApp experts WABetaInfo, users are getting the suspicious messages from anonymous accounts which are even asking for their six-digit login codes.
However, there is an easy way to tell if a WhatsApp contact is genuine, and it just requires opening their profile information.
WABetaInfo explained: “When you are chatting to a verified contact, there is a verified badget placed next to the contact name in the conversation screen and their chat info.
“If you see the verified badge located in a different place, for example, on the profile photo, it means the contact pretends to be verified but is trying to fool you.”
They add: “WhatsApp never asks for details about your credit card and information like your 6-digit code or two-step verification PIN.
“WhatsApp doesn’t even ask for money or confidential information to avoid terminating accounts. If someone wants to get this information, it means it is a fake account that’s trying to scam…
