Security News > 2021 > June > Police warn of WhatsApp scams in time for Social Media Day
We have seen a surge in WhatsApp accounts being hacked, if you are sent a text from WhatsApp with a code on it, don't share the code with ANYONE no matter who's asking, or the reason why.
We've discussed this scam before on the Naked Security podcast, because it's a good reminder of how cybercriminals use one hijacked social media account to target others.
Closed-group instant messaging and social media communities don't suffer from spam in the same way that your email account does, because you can set up your account so that only approved contacts such as friends and family can message you in the first place.
Strictly speaking, of course, you can't always rely on the fact that social media messages in closed groups come from someone you know, but merely that they come from the account of someone you know.
You're probably familiar with the "Need money urgently" scams that have circulated for years via hacked social media accounts.
The only true part of this scam is that you won't be bothered by SMS security codes any more - because the crook won't be changing the phone number on your friend's account, but will reset the phone number on your account instead. You won't be helping your friend retain control of their account; you will be actively particpating in compromising your own!