A recent WhatsApp scam, where users are tricked into believing they have won a prize, is claiming many victims, allowing hackers control of their accounts and impersonate them to ask others for money.

A surge in hacking activities has been reported to Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), who warn WhatsApp users to remain vigilant.

Here is how the scam works:

• Scammers obtain the contact information of individuals from public WhatsApp groups and load a WhatsApp profile onto their mobile device.
• They receive a notification from WhatsApp requesting a six-digit activation code, which is sent to the registered user.
• The scammer then messages their target, informing them that they have won a competition and need to provide the code sent to their number, to qualify for the prize.
• Individuals who provide the requested verification code are blocked from their own accounts within minutes.

The scammers then send messages to all contacts in their victim’s directory, requesting financial assistance, explaining the banking app on their phone has been blocked.

They then forward alternate banking details and the contacts deposit cash.

The WhatsApp help centre advises you look for signs that messages are suspicious.

Signs to look out for are:

• Typos or grammatical mistakes
• Asks you to tap on a link, activate a new feature through a link, or download an app
• Asks you to share your personal information, like credit card or bank account numbers, birth date, or passwords
• Asks you to forward a message
• Asks for money or claiming that you have to pay to use WhatsApp
• Pretends they’re someone you know
• The message is about the lottery, gambling, a job, an investment, or a loan
• Chats with you to gain your trust before asking for personal information

To secure your WhatsApp account you can:

1. Lock private chats
2. Control who sees your profile photo
3. Secure your account with Face ID, Touch ID, or Fingerprint
4. Send media and voice messages more privately with ‘view once’