Account > Two-step verification. Create a six-digit PIN. Do this NOW. NEVER SHARE YOUR VERIFICATION CODE. WhatsApp will never ask for it. No one should. Ever. VERIFY BEFORE YOU SEND. Family asking for money? Call them on their old number first. CHECK THE NUMBER. Don't recognize it? Be suspicious. REPORT AND BLOCK. Hold the message > Report > Block. Protect others. ADJUST PRIVACY SETTINGS. Set "Last seen" and "Profile photo" to "My Contacts" only. Bottom Line: WhatsApp is trusted – so scammers abuse that trust. Verify first. Always. Stay safe out there! - Declan Hardie, Cyber Sense">

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CyberSense - WhatsApp Scams

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💬 CYBER SENSE ALERT: WhatsApp Scams – The Messages Hiding in Plain Sight 💬
WhatsApp scams in South Africa are exploding. Scammers pretend to be your family, your friends, or recruiters. Their goal? Your money and your account.

The Most Common WhatsApp Scams Right Now:

"Hi Mom, it's me – I broke my phone" – Fake family member asking for money

"Job offer – easy money" – Pay a registration fee, then they disappear

"Send me the verification code" – They're trying to steal YOUR account

"You've won a voucher!" – Fake giveaway to steal your details

AI voice notes – Cloned voices of family members in fake distress

Your WhatsApp Safety Plan:

TURN ON TWO-STEP VERIFICATION. Settings > Account > Two-step verification. Create a six-digit PIN. Do this NOW.

NEVER SHARE YOUR VERIFICATION CODE. WhatsApp will never ask for it. No one should. Ever.

VERIFY BEFORE YOU SEND. Family asking for money? Call them on their old number first.

CHECK THE NUMBER. Don't recognize it? Be suspicious.

REPORT AND BLOCK. Hold the message > Report > Block. Protect others.

ADJUST PRIVACY SETTINGS. Set "Last seen" and "Profile photo" to "My Contacts" only.

Bottom Line: WhatsApp is trusted – so scammers abuse that trust. Verify first. Always.

Stay safe out there!
- Declan Hardie, Cyber Sense

20 May English South Africa Education · Technology

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