Your WhatsApp account can be hacked by phone call

 WhatsApp is one of the most popular chatting apps on the planet and is no stranger to various scams. Now a new fraud has come up which can take over your WhatsApp account with a simple call.

This was reported by Rahul Sisi, CEO of the cyber security firm Cloud SEK. They say victims of this WhatsApp exploit receive a phone call from an attacker asking them for the following numbers: "** 67 * <10 digit number> or * 405 * <10 digit number>" Agrees to call. Within minutes of making a call, your WhatsApp account is logged out and the hacker gains complete control.

How it works

Sisi explains what really happens behind the scenes. They say the number the attacker dials you is actually a call forwarding request for Geo or Airtel, two of India's most popular cellular service providers. The attacker is only tricking you into sending your call to their own number.

Once the call is forwarded, the attacker activates the WhatsApp account registration process for your phone number and selects the option to receive a one-time password (OTP) via phone call. But since your phone is busy, OTP is sent to the hacker's phone, allowing it to infringe on your account.

Fraud is common in India, but it works globally because every country and service provider has the same service application number.

We advise our readers to beware of any suspicious calls or messages received on WhatsApp. It is best not to engage in such calls or messages in any way and if you receive any such thing, warn others.