A cautionary tale is making the rounds in certain European regions as a new text scam emerges, posing a risk to WhatsApp users. Bitdefender’s team has uncovered this deceptive scheme that preys on emotions to manipulate recipients into clicking on links and divulging personal security codes.
The scam starts with a seemingly innocent message urging recipients to vote for a friend’s daughter in a contest for an overseas scholarship. Unbeknownst to many, clicking the link leads to a counterfeit website soliciting votes and requesting personal information, including phone numbers and verification codes.
Once provided, this information is exploited by cybercriminals to compromise WhatsApp accounts, locking out legitimate users and enabling scammers to send deceptive messages to contacts for financial gain. Bitdefender warns that the scam is active, utilizing numerous fake domains and URLs to target unsuspecting users, particularly in Poland, Romania, and Germany.
To combat this threat, Bitdefender advises users not to share verification codes, verify requests for money or favors via direct phone calls, and report suspicious messages within WhatsApp. If an account is hacked, users should seek a new verification code, contact WhatsApp support, inform their bank of any unauthorized transactions, and alert their contacts about the security breach.
WhatsApp echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding verification codes and notifying users of any attempted account registrations. By following these precautions and remaining vigilant, users can protect themselves from falling victim to this insidious scam.