WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps worldwide, with millions of users. Unfortunately, it’s also a popular target for scammers and hackers who try to steal WhatsApp accounts for various reasons, such as phishing or identity theft.
You should never share your WhatsApp verification code with others. If someone is trying to take over your account, they need the SMS verification code sent to your phone number to do so. Without this code, any user attempting to verify your number can’t complete the verification process and use your phone number on WhatsApp. This means you remain in control of your WhatsApp account.
If you’ve been a victim of WhatsApp account theft, you might feel helpless and worried about what to do next. Here are some steps you can take to regain control of your WhatsApp account and protect your personal information.
Contact WhatsApp Support
The first thing you should do when you realize your WhatsApp account has been stolen is to contact WhatsApp support. You can do this by sending an email to their support team at support@whatsapp.com or through the WhatsApp help center. Explain the situation to them and provide any evidence you have of the theft, such as screenshots or emails from the hacker. WhatsApp will help you to recover your account or provide you with guidance on what to do next.
Secure Your Account
If the scammer has enabled two-factor authentication on your account, you’ll need to take additional steps to recover your account. You can reset your two-factor authentication PIN by going to WhatsApp settings, then Account, and selecting the option to enable two-factor authentication. From there, you can choose to disable it and reset your PIN. This will prevent the scammer from using your two-factor authentication to block you from accessing your account.
If the scammer has changed your phone number associated with your WhatsApp account, you can still reset your two-factor authentication PIN by providing your email address, which you would have previously used to set up your WhatsApp account. You can do this by going to WhatsApp settings, then Account, and selecting the option to Reset your PIN. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PIN using your email address.
If the scammer hasn’t enabled two-factor authentication, you should immediately set this up. Read this article on setting up two-factor authentication for WhatsApp.
Warn Your Contacts
It’s essential to let your contacts know that your WhatsApp account has been stolen, so they don’t fall victim to any scams or fraudulent messages. Send them a message through a different channel, such as email or social media, and inform them that they should disregard any messages from your WhatsApp account.
Attempt to recover your account
Sign into WhatsApp with your phone number and verify your phone number by entering the 6-digit code you receive via SMS.
Once you enter the 6-digit SMS code, the scammer using your account is automatically logged out.
You might also be asked to provide a two-step verification code. If you don’t know this code, the scammer using your account might have enabled two-step verification.
You must wait 7 days before you can sign in without the two-step verification code. Regardless of whether you know this verification code, the scammer would be logged out of your account once you entered the 6-digit SMS code.
Report the Incident
Reporting the theft of your WhatsApp account to the authorities is vital, especially if you believe your personal information has been compromised. You can report the incident to the police or cybercrime unit. Provide them with any evidence you have, such as screenshots or emails from the hacker. Here are the steps to Report A CyberCrime in Trinidad and Tobago.
In conclusion, having your WhatsApp account stolen can be a stressful and worrying experience. However, taking these steps can help you to regain control of your account and protect your personal information. Remember to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to WhatsApp support and the authorities.
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