Beware of the New WhatsApp Scam: Remote Access to Your Phone and Homebanking

2024-05-08 03:11:00

A dangerous scam began to circulate WhatsApp. This is again a scam in which cybercriminals use video calls with the aim of remotely accessing your smartphone, steal banking credentials and enter your homebanking to empty it.

This fraud is especially risky because uses social engineering to catch unsuspecting people and takes advantage of the lack of knowledge that many people have about everything a criminal can do from the other side of the communication with just a couple of actions from the victim.

Read also: WhatsApp now allows screen sharing during video calls: what is the function for and how is it used?

He mode of operation of this fraud is simple but ingenious– They pose as a friend, family member or a legitimate company through a WhatsApp message and They convince the victim to make a video call. During the conversation they put some technical excusesuch as camera problems, and request that the person press a button on your own cell phone. By doing so, everything will be lost and the criminal will be able to access everything on the device, even your bank app or virtual wallets.

This is the new and dangerous WhatsApp scam that with one click accesses your homebanking. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Read also: They tried to scam him from his grandfather’s WhatsApp and he ended up taking money from them: “Happy ending”

The button that cybercriminals ask the victim to press is nothing other than the screen sharing option. By giving that permission, The criminal can see everything that happens on the cell phone of the person, such as their photos, conversations, in banking information, such as passwords and bank account details.

With this information in their possession, the cybercriminal could drain it from you with transfers and even request loans in your name, with all the financial and emotional damages.

How to protect yourself from this new scam?

The key to avoiding being a victim of this deception lies in the prevention and common sense. Here we share three keys to avoid these scams:

• Never share your screen with someone you don’t know and trust completely: This is the golden rule to avoid these types of scams. If you receive a request to share your screen from an unknown number or from someone who claims to know you, but with whom you have not had contact in a long time, it is best to decline the request and verify their identity through another means.

Read also: Experts warn of a new digital scam in which your WhatsApp account is stolen

• Be wary of WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers: If you receive messages from strange numbers, especially if they have an area code from other areas or other countries, and if they especially request personal information, ask you questions or invite you to make video calls, it is best not to interact, delete and block the contact immediately.
• Verify the identity of the person contacting you: To confirm that the person calling you is who they say they are, you can call them by phone or send them a message through social networks.
• Share this information with your friends and family, especially those who are not up to date with the latest technology news. The cybersecurity It is a collective responsibility.