How the new “code sent by mistake” scam in WhatsApp works

In recent weeks, we have talked about new features coming soon to WhatsApp that will make life easier for its users, such as status updates via voice (without the need for text or images), and the ability to share photos without losing quality when uploading them to the application.

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But, despite all the features that come to us and that WhatsApp, according to its CEO, is much safer than Telegram, the app is not exempt from being the means of propagation of scams and scams. The latest case of which the Civil Guard has been aware takes advantage of the ignorance of many users to try to take control of your WhatsApp account. This is how it works.

The two-step verification scam

WhatsApp’s two-step verification system is the key to this scam. The first time you log in on a device you will be asked for a 6-digit code that you will receive on your phone to verify that it is you and that other people cannot access. You will also be able to log in on other devices with your phone number, but the code will always arrive on your phone.

The scam reported by the Guardia Civil takes advantage of the fact that many people do not know what this system consists of. The attackers will try to log into your account with your phone number, so they will need the code to get in. How do they do it? By telling you that they sent you a code “by mistake” and to pass it on.

While the most technologically and Internet savvy users can smell this type of scams from afar, those without so much knowledge can fall for this scam, thus giving them access to their WhatsApp accounts, which could then be used to carry out other types of scams that would take advantage of stolen identities to steal money from the victims of your address book.

Remember: never provide any kind of code or sensitive data to anyone via WhatsApp, SMS or email.