Stay Safe on WhatsApp: Protect Yourself from Scams and Account Takeovers in Brazil

Table of Contents

• 1 How does WhatsApp account takeover work?
• 2 What is a fake account on WhatsApp and how does it work?
• 3 How to protect yourself from WhatsApp Hits?
• 4 What to do if you are a victim of a scam on WhatsApp?
• 5 Importance of Digital Awareness
• 6 In what ways can community engagement and local⁣ initiatives enhance the effectiveness of campaigns aimed⁤ at reducing the prevalence of WhatsApp account takeovers and scams?

In Brazil, WhatsApp has become an essential communication tool with more than 120 million active users. Its popularity, however, has caught the attention of scammers who use the application to commit fraud, causing financial harm to many users. It is essential that you know the methods these criminals use to protect yourself.

Among the blow The most common are checking accounts and creating fake profiles. Both aim to obtain sensitive information in order to deceive legitimate user contacts and request money transfers. Knowing how these scams work can help you avoid falling into similar traps.

How does WhatsApp account takeover work?

Account hacking happens when hackers get a WhatsApp user’s phone number and name and try to register the application on another device. To complete the process, a verification code is required, sent via SMS, which criminals receive by gaining the trust of the victim.

Scammers are pretending to be official service representatives, asking for the verification code under false pretenses. With access to the code, they replicate the account on a new device, access conversations and calls and impersonate the user, asking their contacts for urgent money.

What is a fake account on WhatsApp and how does it work?

In the fake account scam, fraudsters create a WhatsApp profile with the victim’s photo, using a different phone number. With enough information about the person’s life, scammers start conversations with friends and family, describing a false emergency to ask for money.

This practice takes advantage of the trust of callers, who often do not notice the different number and respond to the criminals’ requests, believing that they are helping their friend or family member. in trouble.

How to protect yourself from WhatsApp Hits?

• Be suspicious requests for money or personal information, especially if there is an emergency.
• Do not share authentication codes or sensitive information through messages.
• Understand video call conferences to check suspicious situations.
• Enable authentication in two features to increase the security of your account.
• Restriction visibility of your profile picture for saved contacts.
• Keep your protected phone number on social networks.

What to do if you are a victim of a scam on WhatsApp?

If a scam is detected, it is vital to act quickly. First, report the suspicious contact directly to WhatsApp. Access the contact options, select “Report contact” and follow the available options.

Send an email to WhatsApp support explaining what happened and let your contacts know so you don’t follow instructions from suspicious profiles. If transfers have been made, it is recommended to file a police report and inform the bank of the situation.

Importance of Digital Awareness

Prevention is the best defense against fraud. Incorporating safe practices into daily digital activities and being informed about scam methods is essential. In an increasingly complex digital environment, online security education has become essential for personal and financial protection.