PUTRAJAYA: If you get a request from a friend to share a six-digit verification code from WhatsApp, don’t do it. It could be a scam or a hacker at work.
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The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is advising the public to be wary of the existence of fraudulent tactics aimed at taking over users’ WhatsApp accounts.
In a statement today, MCMC said the perpetrators used various tricks to deceive users to share a six-digit verification code received from WhatsApp.
“The verification code is generally accepted by users for verification purposes when there is an attempt to change the phone number associated with a WhatsApp account.
“Users who are deceived into sharing the verification code can cause their WhatsApp account to be taken over by a scammer,” it said.
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MCMC also urged users to be wary of WhatsApp six-digit verification code requests apparently from friends, family members, WhatsApp employees as well as other parties, including the authorities.
“Users are reminded not to share WhatsApp’s six-digit verification code with any party,” it said.
MCMC said users who have been the victims of such tactics are advised to follow the steps in the link, https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/account-and-profile/stolen-accounts/ to recover their hacked WhatsApp account.
It also advised users, in order to protect themselves from any possible criminal act, to lodge a report regarding the matter at the nearest police station.
Reports can also be made to MCMC’s complaints portal channel: https://aduan.skmm.gov.my, e-mail: aduanskmm@mcmc.gov.my or at WhatsApp at 016-220 6262.- FMT