The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has advised the public to be wary of fraudulent tactics aimed at taking over WhatsApp users' accounts.
The reminder was made through a statement issued by MCMC today.
According to the statement, the tactic used various tricks to deceive users to submit a 6-digit verification code received from WhatsApp.
MCMC explained that the cost of verification is generally accepted by the user for the purpose of verification when wanting to change the phone number on a WhatsApp account.
Deceived users will submit the verification code and may cause their WhatsApp account to be taken over by the scammer.
According to MCMC, there are several tricks and modus operandi used by criminals.
Among them, the scammer will impersonate by using the WhatsApp account of a friend or family member who has been successfully taken over before and then appeal to the user to submit the verification code received.
In addition, there are also scammers who deliberately make some verification attempts that fail so that the WhatsApp system will make an automatic call to the user number to inform the verification code.
Adding to the statement, MCMC reminded users to be wary of any request for WhatsApp verification codes from any party regardless of whether they are family members or unknown parties.
MCMC also advises users to protect their WhatsApp account by performing two-step verification (two-step verification) to ensure that the account is difficult to take over.
If the user has been a victim of the acquisition of WhatsApp account, MCMC informed that they can follow the steps as in the link https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/account-andprofile/stolen-accounts/ to take back the account.
MCMC also advises users to protect themselves from any possible crime, they can make complaints and reports regarding the acquisition of WhatsApp account to the nearest police station.
Reports can also be made to MCMC through the complaints portal: https://aduan.skmm.gov.my; e-mail: [email protected] or WhatsApp: 016-2206262
