A whatsapp and scams scam text has been making the rounds on whatsapp and experts are warning users to stay vigilant. Cyber crime reporting agency Action Fraud has issued the warning amid reports of fraudsters targeting the popular app in attempts to steal access codes and hijack accounts.

The scam works by getting a hacker to use their victim’s phone number to access the messaging platform. Once they do that they can message the account owner claiming to have accidentally entered the code on their own device, prompting WhatsApp to send a verification code to the victim. Once the six digit code is sent, hackers gain access to the user’s account and can take over conversations, send messages and even start group chats.

Guarding Your Chats: Navigating the World of WhatsApp Scams and How to Stay Protected

Whatsapp says that the best way to prevent this type of attack is to always check the authenticity of a message before sharing or forwarding it. They advise to keep an eye out for spelling and grammar errors, links that don’t match the company or brand name, or any message that asks you to share your username and password with anyone. They also urge users to never share their verification codes, whether received through the platform or SMS, and to always enable two-step verification by going to Settings > Account > Two-step Verification > Activate.

This will add an extra layer of security to your account and will help make it more difficult for criminals to access your account. It’s also a good idea to ensure your profile picture is private, as having it visible can give scammers clues about your identity and make it easier for them to target you.