National Fraud Helpline is warning about a new WhatsApp scam aimed at defeating the platform’s anti-fraud measures.
WhatsApp recently enable a new feature that allowed users to block messages from people not in their contacts.
This was seen as an anti-spam measure which also means scammers cannot easily contact potential victims.
As a result of this feature, scammers are now telephoning would-be victims with automated voice messages asking them to add their contact details into their phone to win prizes or to be able to take up job opportunities. None of the so-called opportunities exist but it’s a way of scammers getting around WhatsApp’s anti-spam and anti-fraud blocking feature.
Martin Richardson, senior partner at National Farud Helpline, said: ‘We’re getting more report of people being left voice messages on their phone from strangers asking the recipient of the phone call to add numbers into their mobile phone’s contact list.
‘By adding this number you are allowing scammers to defeat WhatsApp’s ability to block scam messages.
‘Our obvious advice is that if you receive one of these voicemail messages simply delete it and forget about it. Do not under any circumstances add their number into your contact list on your mobile phone.
‘The vast majority of these messages seem to relate to fake job opportunities. No employers randomly reaches out to potential employees through a voicemail message so you are safe to ignore it.’
Mr Richardson said with many people desperate for extra cash fake job scams are on the rise.
He said the fact that scammers are using this new voicemail technique shows WhatsApp’s anti-scam feature is working to some extent.
‘Scammers are very good at defeating anti-spam feature and this is just another example of this,’ he added.
Have you lost money to a scam? Contact National Fraud Helpline. Call 0333 0033218 or fill out our Claim Form.