On WhatsApp, don’t fall for this hack; check blow-by-blow account and what you must not do

Cybercriminals target WhatsApp app users in a number of ways so that they can hack into their accounts. Here is one that is particularly shocking.

This WhatsApp app hacking attempt uses names of close family and friends of innocent users to kick them out of their own accounts. (AFP)

A Verification Code Scam has been unleashed on WhatsApp and it is being used to dupe unsuspecting users in such a shocking manner that they even give up control of their own accounts to cybercriminals. WhatsApp app users are under extreme danger from these scammers and they should know how to deal with this threat before they suffer big losses. The shocking part is that this WhatsApp hacking attempt uses people's close family and friends' names to dupe them.

WhatsApp Verification Code Scam Modus Operandi: What happens in case of Verification Code Scam is that a user receives a text message from WhatsApp containing a login code. This is the two-factor authentication code that enables a user to log into their registered WhatsApp account number.

In the scam, this code from WhatsApp is often followed by a message from a family or friend, wherein the sender says that he has accidentally shared his WhatsApp login code with them. The scammer, pretending to be a family member or a friend, whose account he has hacked, then asks the user to share the code with him.

If you get such a message, there is one thing you must not do. Under no circumstances should you respond to it. Never send that code back to anyone asking for it. Users should know that WhatsApp does not send a verification code to a different mobile number. The verification code is that of your phone and if you send it to anyone, they will get control of it. Simply said, your friend will not get your WhatsApp verification code, a hacker will. So, if you get such a message, it means that a malicious hacker is trying to gain access to your account. And as soon as you share the code with them, the hacker will gain access to your WhatsApp account while you will be logged out of your own account.

One of the easiest ways to avoid this scam is by ignoring this message completely realising what it is all about. However, you should recognise it as a scam because if you don't, chances are you will lose your WhatsApp account. As long as you don't hand over verification code, you are safe. But for some reason, if you do fall prey to this scheme, there is a way in which you can recover your stolen account. Here's a guide for you:

Step1: Sign into WhatsApp with your phone and verify your number by entering the 6-digit code you receive via SMS.

Step 2: Once you enter the 6-digit SMS code, the individual using your account is automatically logged out.

Step 3: You might also be asked to provide a two-step verification code. If you don't know this code, the individual using your account might have enabled two-step verification. Unfortunately, you must wait 7 days before you can sign in without the two-step verification code from WhatsApp.