Awful WhatsApp scam is back, but there could FINALLY be a fix on the way
WhatsApp users are under attack once again. A spate of scams, designed to trick users into handing over control of their account – including every text messages, photo or video they’ve ever sent, have returned across the UK and Europe. Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine even fell prey to the scam last time it circulated. Thankfully, there could soon be a way to stop the attack in its tracks. That’s because WhatsApp is gearing up to add a new way to secure your messaging account.
As it stands, logging into WhatsApp usually requires a PIN code alongside a randomly generated code sent via SMS to the phone number registered to your WhatsApp Account. However, that could be about to change. WABetaInfo, a popular blog and social media account that trawls beta versions of WhatsApp to uncover unfinished features ahead of their release, has uncovered evidence of a new feature called “Flash Calls”.
Like the one-time code sent over SMS, this would provide users with the same authentication – but using a call to their number instead of a text.
While it’s currently possible to request WhatsApp calls your number and repeats the unique verification code, so that you can type it into the app, this is designed to be an accessibility feature for those who might not be able to read the code sent via text.
