Recently there has been a rise in the number of times someone on LinkedIn posing as an agent for someone else, proposing a deal or to make connections by going off LinkedIn to WhatsApp.

I’m not usually a suspicious person, living my life in a fairly trusting way. But I was very curious about the increasing frustration I have with these techniques. So I did some research.

Here’s what my new friend AI gave me:

New and Frequent WhatsApp Scams Involving Phone Numbers

Based on my research, here are the most common and recent scams involving WhatsApp and phone numbers:

1. Verification Code Scams

This scam works when someone tries to register a WhatsApp account using your phone number. WhatsApp sends a verification code to your phone, then a scammer contacts you (often pretending to be WhatsApp support or a friend) asking you to share this code. If you share it, they can hijack your account completely. Hot for Security

In a newer variation, scammers first compromise someone in your contacts list, then use their account to message you asking for the verification code that was just sent to your phone. They create a sense of urgency, making it seem like a time-sensitive request from someone you trust. Thejournal

2. The “Wrong Number” Scam

In this type of scam, a fraudster intentionally texts your WhatsApp number pretending to have messaged the wrong person. They engage you in friendly conversation to gather personal information or eventually promote fake investment opportunities. Hot for Security

These scams often start with an innocuous message that seems meant for someone else, like confirming an upcoming event or simply saying “hi.” The goal is to get you to engage so they can build rapport before launching into another scam like a romance scam or fake investment opportunity. Aura

3. Impersonation/Family Emergency Scams

Scammers impersonate victims’ Family members on WhatsApp, often claiming they have a new phone number due to their old phone being lost or broken. Tech

The “Mom and Dad scam” involves fraudsters impersonating a victim’s child or other family member, asking for Money for an emergency. They may claim to have gotten a new number or bank details and need you to transfer money to help with a legal issue or emergency. Aura

4. Tech Support Impersonation

Scammers pose as WhatsApp support representatives and ask you to verify your identity by sending a verification code via SMS or Telegram. They may also request sensitive information like credit card numbers or 6-digit WhatsApp codes, which allows them to hack into your account. Hot for Security

One of the fastest-growing WhatsApp scams involves scammers impersonating the WhatsApp support team. They ask you to verify your identity or click a link to confirm it’s you, potentially leading to being locked out of your account. Comparitech

5. Job Offer Scams

In WhatsApp job scams, fake recruiters reach out with unsolicited job offers, baiting hopeful job seekers with false promises of high pay and competitive benefits. They may request payment for training, onboarding, or materials as a way to extort money. Norton

6. SIM Swapping and One-Time Password (OTP) Scams

In SIM swapping, thieves reassign your phone number to a SIM card in a phone they control, then try to log into your accounts using codes or links sent to your phone number. Experian

With OTP bots, scammers try to log into your account, prompting your bank to send you a one-time code. Simultaneously, a bot imitates the company and contacts you asking for the code, making it seem like a legitimate request. Experian

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share verification codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from WhatsApp support or a friend who sent it by mistake.
2. Enable two-factor authentication on your WhatsApp account through Settings > Account > Two-step verification.
3. Be suspicious of urgent requests, especially those asking for money or personal information.
4. Verify identity through other channels – if someone claims to be a friend with a new number, call their old number or contact them through another platform.
5. Don’t engage with messages from unknown numbers, even if they seem harmless or claim to be wrong-number texts.
6. Be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers like job opportunities, prizes, or investment schemes that come through WhatsApp.
7. Check for clues of authenticity – official WhatsApp accounts have verification badges next to the contact name, not in the profile picture.
8. Report suspicious activity to WhatsApp by pressing and holding the message, selecting “Report,” and following the instructions.

These scams are constantly evolving, but they typically follow similar patterns of creating urgency, requesting personal information or money, and exploiting trust Relationships.

Call this my community service alert.

Friends, BEWARE!!!!

The post What’s in a Number? A Lot If It Stars on WhatsApp appeared first on Business Advisor and Executive Coach | Doug Thorpe.

Doug Thorpe MBA, CLC, CEC

Small business owners will hit an invisible wall that can stall the growth of the company. The key reason there is a wall is that owners need to shift from manager to leader. The question is, how to do that?

Doug is a coach for CEOs and Senior Leadership Teams with 30 years of leadership experience. He is the president & CEO of Doug Thorpe Group. Doug is also a podcast host.

He helps owners understand the ways they need to reshape their thinking and attitude to make a successful break through the wall.