The Ridge Times and Standerton Advertiser want to warn readers not to fall victim to scammers. Arisja Misselhorn, editor of both newspapers, had her WhatsApp hacked recently.

The hacker gained access to all her WhatsApp contacts and groups. Misselhorn’s contacts began receiving messages sent by the hacker stating: “I’m trying to transfer money to someone for medications, and it’s not going through because of my bank issue. Can you help me transfer R4 700 to the person’s account details? I will send it back first thing tomorrow morning.”

This raised eyebrows, as Misselhorn would never ask to borrow money, and many people contacted other journalists at the newspapers, asking whether Misselhorn’s WhatsApp had been hacked.

How did she get hacked?

Misselhorn, who was still groggy from foot surgery, received a call from the hacker.

“He knew my personal information and must have known I work for the newspaper,” she said.

Because media invites for conference calls are common, the hacker appeared convincing.

Though she could not recall his name, Misselhorn noted: “He said he was from the Premier’s office and had a conference call he wanted me to attend.”

She asked him to contact a journalist instead, as she was still on sick leave, but he insisted the matter was urgent.

“He asked me to read out a number he had sent to me so he could confirm he had the right contact for the link to the conference call.

“The moment I read it to him, I was logged out of my WhatsApp account. It happened within minutes.”

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It later turned out that the hacker changed her settings and added a different Gmail account.

“People do not understand how quickly you can get hacked,” Misselhorn warned.

Her advice to readers is to never share one-time passwords (OTPs) or any verification numbers.

“Do not read out or type any numbers they give you. Do not fall victim to their smooth talk or persistence.”

While she was unable to retrieve all her contact details, she was fortunate enough to restore her original number.

The hacker also targeted journalist Jana Oosthuizen about a supposed evening conference call for the ‘Standerton Stand Up’ group.

“I asked him what the conference call was about,” said Oosthuizen.

He insisted I check my phone screen for a number and got very rude and impatient with me as I asked him again what the conference call was about.”

When the hacker sent the number, Oosthuizen realised it was likely the same person who hacked Misselhorn.

“This is a warning: do not give out any numbers,” said Oosthuizen.

“He must have done some research before contacting me because he knew I work in the Standerton area and I am in a group on WhatsApp called the Stand Up group.”

Both women emphasised that the hacker was highly convincing.

They advised the public that, even if a caller claims to be from your bank or another place, you should visit that place in person and not provide any OTPs or personal details over the phone.

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