A new WhatsApp scam has been detected, using a new tactic that could lock you out of your account and give cyber criminals full control of your messages

A dangerous new scam is spreading on WhatsApp, and it’s one you need to be aware of promptly. Cybercriminals are using a clever tactic that could lock you out of your account and hand them complete control of your messages, contacts, and even your identity.

The scam begins with receiving a message seemingly from yourself.This message will contain a link, frequently enough disguised as a WhatsApp security update or a notification about your account.

However, clicking this link doesn’t led to a legitimate WhatsApp page. Instead, it directs you to a fake website designed to steal your account details.

Here’s how it works: the scammer has likely already cloned your WhatsApp profile picture and name, making the message appear incredibly convincing. The link leads to a fraudulent login page that looks almost identical to the real WhatsApp Web.

If you enter your six-digit WhatsApp verification code on this fake page, the scammers instantly gain access to your account. They can then impersonate you, send messages to your contacts (potentially spreading the scam further), and access sensitive data.

What to do if you receive a suspicious message:

* Don’t click the link: This is the most vital step.Even if the message appears to be from yourself, avoid clicking any links.
* Verify the sender: If you’re unsure, contact the person (using a known, trusted number) thru a different messaging app to confirm if they sent the message.
* Report and block: Report the message to WhatsApp and block the sender.
* Enable two-step verification: This adds an extra layer of security to your account, making it much harder for scammers to gain access even if they obtain your verification code. You can find this setting in WhatsApp’s Account > Security section.
* Be wary of urgent requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly without thinking.

whatsapp has been contacted for comment and continues to advise users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

WhatsApp Users Warned About New Scam That Steals Your Account

WhatsApp users are being warned about a new scam circulating that aims to steal your account. the scam involves a deceptive message offering a fake voting opportunity.

According to cybersecurity firm Bitdefender, the scam begins with a message inviting you to participate in a poll, frequently enough related to a popular brand or figure. Clicking the link in the message redirects you to a convincing, yet fraudulent, website.

A message then appears requesting your phone number along with a verification code that will be sent to your device. Naturally, no actual voting takes place as this is entirely a scam designed to gain access to WhatsApp profiles.

When cybercriminals obtain both a phone number and the WhatsApp security code, they can hijack your account and prevent you from accessing it. After this takeover, they begin distributing additional scam messages to your contacts, which can be used to trick others into handing over money or sensitive information.

“This allows attackers to instantly access your accounts, which they then use to spread the scam and defraud new victims,” ​​Bitdefender explained. The threat remains, with attackers having deployed 177 fraudulent domains and 554 unique URLs, attacking thousands of users in the last two weeks.