How does the FAKE DETECTIVE SCAM work on WhatsApp?
People are taking advantage of users to steal their WhatsApp accounts. Learn how to protect yourself!
WhatsApp has been focusing heavily on protecting and securing its users' data. The platform recently launched a new feature to prevent accounts from being cloned. Therefore, whenever an account on the app is transferred from one device to another, the user must authorize it.
Account cloning by fake private detectives usually begins with requests for access to client accounts, claiming the need to investigate suspicions of infidelity, corporate fraud or other activities. However, instead of conducting investigations, these people carry out scams.
The consequences of these practices can be very significant, including the loss of personal and business information and even the risk of blackmail and extortion. In many cases, victims may not be aware that their accounts have been cloned and that damage has been caused. To protect its users from these scams, WhatsApp has a feature that prevents this type of situation.
Learn more about this app feature and see how to protect yourself from having your WhatsApp account cloned.
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The number of account thefts from WhatsApp has been increasing. Therefore, Meta started working and launched a new feature that prevents the line from being cloned by criminals who then have access to the user's information to commit scams. The change prevents the line from be cloned after the number owner informs the six-digit code sent by SMS.
Criminals usually try to access the victim's WhatsApp, and with the code they can complete the process, taking control of the account, causing the user to lose access.
Now, before migrating the account number to another cell phone, the app notifies the user, who must approve or reject the transfer. The notification will also provide details about the account migration, such as the time of the request and the model of the device that will receive the new account. In addition to avoid scams, if the transfer is legitimate, the feature allows the user to be sure where their account is going.
Whenever a person tries to change an account from one device to another, a warning will appear on the phone's screen, saying "Do you want to allow the transfer of your WhatsApp account to another phone?". So, even if they have the code in hand, criminals can no longer steal the account without the user's permission to transfer it.
How to protect yourself
To protect yourself, it is important to be aware of suspicious activity. In many cases, criminals contacted users pretending to be an employee of the app and informing them that there was a problem with their account. According to them, in order for this to be resolved, the user needs to confirm the six-digit code that was sent via message.
Afraid of losing their account due to the alleged problem, the user ends up sending the code, which allows them to access the account. Because of this, many users ended up losing their account. Precisely for this reason, the company changed the way the account is transferred, requiring the user to confirm or deny the transfer.
It is always necessary to be suspicious of this type of call and not to provide data via phone, messages or any other contact. If you have any questions about procedures, contact the application support.
Also, do not click on suspicious links from unknown people, especially if they were not requested. Many links can steal your data and give criminals access to your account, who can then carry out scams in your name.
In case of cloning, warn your contacts not to make bank transfers and report the account. To report, open the conversation with the user, tap More options, tap More, and then tap Report. Select the box that appears to block the user and tap report.
