WhatsApp scams have become rampant over the last few years. With the ever-increasing popularity, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has introduced several new features and capabilities to make it a secure chatting platform. If you are a WhatsApp user, here are three simple steps suggested by Meta to keep your account safe and sound.
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Don’t share your 6-digit verification code with anyone.
To register your WhatsApp account on a new smartphone, you only need a 6-digit verification code, which can be received via SMS or a voice call. Sharing this code with someone grants them full access to your WhatsApp chats. With this code, individuals can access backed-up chats, your friends and family’s contacts, potentially using this information for various scams. Therefore, WhatsApp advises users not to share the 6-digit verification code with anyone.
Additionally, ensure that no companion smartphones are linked to your WhatsApp number, as scammers could gain full access to your WhatsApp account, potentially leading to financial fraud.
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Lost access to your WhatsApp account? Re-register your account.
If you suddenly lose access to your WhatsApp account, there is a high possibility that someone else has gained access. In such scenarios, the best course of action is to deregister your WhatsApp account. This action prevents scammers from accessing your previous chats. By re-registering your WhatsApp account, Meta automatically logs out of your account from any other smartphone, making it impossible for another person to access your chats. To do this, you need access to the SIM card used to create the WhatsApp account.
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Always use the latest and genuine WhatsApp app.
Whether on iPhone or Android, ensure that you are using the latest official version of the WhatsApp app. This practice prevents third parties from accessing your data and allows you to experience all the latest innovations and features offered by WhatsApp. While there are numerous third-party WhatsApp apps available, using these puts your personal data at risk. Moreover, using such apps could lead to a complete loss of control over your account, as Meta has permanently blocked several WhatsApp accounts for using third-party clients in the past.
