WARNING: Many WhatsApp users losing access to their account due to this scam and you could be next

Scammers have found a new technique to lock users out of their WhatsApp account. According to reports, a fake verification message is spreading on WhatsApp, asking users to verify their WhatsApp account, thus blocking them out of their own WhatsApp account henceforth. The scam is mainly targeting users in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but it could very well surface in India. The message is circulating in many different languages.

The UAE’s telecom regulator TRA has issued an advisory, warning users against falling for this scam. WhatsApp users in the UAE are warned not to entertain fake verification messages. But this advisory applies to pretty much all WhatsApp users irrespective of their physical location. This is what the TRA said in its statement:

“Mobile users should not share the verification code that is sent to them by SMS, otherwise, their account will be compromised. Many WhatsApp accounts were hacked this way, and subscribers lost all their details,” said the TRA.

READ | WhatsApp privacy: You may soon be able to block chat screenshots on WhatsApp

Whenever you try to register on WhatsApp, the app sends a verification SMS that consists of a one-time password (OTP) and link. Users are expected to enter the six-digit OTP or open the URL in order to get WhatsApp account verified, up and running. However, scammers try to persuade victims into replying to a fake verification SMS with their mobile number.

Falling for this scam leads users to lose control and access to their WhatsApp account and a scammer can easily snoop onto your conversations. Scammers can also send WhatsApp messages on your behalf.

Recently, WhatsApp was spotted testing a new feature that lets users block conversation screenshots by enabling fingerprint authentication. Reports suggest that when Fingerprint authentication feature is enabled, the fingerprint verification will be mandatory for unlocking the app, thus preventing users from capturing screenshots.