The scam of the 6-digit code that you have to flee from in WhatsApp

No wonder scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people. With the arrival of social networks and messaging applications, the thinking machinery began to smoke. Ransomware, Phishing... even the infamous coronavirus have taken the opportunity to try to extort personal data and, with it, a good amount of money.

WhatsApp is one of the preferred applications to deceive Internet users. When it is not manipulating public opinion, through fake news chains, it is sending links that refer to illegitimate sites.On this occasion we are going to tell you the latest news regarding WhatsApp scams. Do not forget to share this article, by WhatsApp, of course, with your friends. It's important that we all know what's going on to prevent further spread of fraud.

'Please send me the code you received'

It has been the Civil Guard itself that has ended up warning about this new scam on WhatsApp that consists of the following. You receive a message asking you to please send a six-digit code that you received in an SMS.

You may think that if you receive this message from a number you don't know you would never fall into the trap. And so far, everyone agrees. The problem is that the message is sent to you someone you trust may be sending itOr even a close relative. It is evident that no one you know is going to want to deceive you. And it is that they send you the message because, previously, they have also been infected with the virus. In other words, if you don't want to fall and make your contact book fall, don't send any code you receive.

The scam works this way. The code that you are sending to your recipient is the one that WhatsApp would legitimately be sending to you to confirm your WhatsApp account. Remember the day you released your mobile and installed WhatsApp. Did the application ask you for a code that was automatically sent to your mobile? If you are giving that code to the scammer, they will take over your account And if they take over your account they can impersonate you, as they have done before with the alleged recipient of the fraudulent message.

What you should do in a risky situation on WhatsApp

Next, we are going to give you some advice so that you do not fall for this type of scam, something that happens more than we realize would like.

• First of all, apply common sense If someone, even a well-known person, sends you a suspicious message, send a message back. If he doesn't respond, call him or use another way to contact him, either by email or Telegram. They may call you paranoid, but that's better than exposing your personal data.
• Activate double verification on WhatsApp. In addition to the code that WhatsApp sends you, you must enter a six-digit number, chosen by you, to be able to enter, hence the 'double' verification.
• Always keep updated your phone to the latest Android version. As soon as the developers of the operating system see that there is a security flaw, they launch patches so that it does not affect you, so it is important to keep your mobile up to date.
• Don't share Twitter, rumours, tabloids and anything that looks 'very juicy'. Verify the authenticity of the news on networks, do not fall for the bait of those who want to manipulate society with cheap tricks.
• In short, use WhatsApp without being overwhelmed but always being alert to anything that is out of the ordinary, checking for strange messages, unsolicited files, etc.