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May 05, 2025
WhatsApp scams are a big menace and most of that is because the messaging app has over 400 million users in India, making it a prime target for hackers. We have come across various means of these WhatsApp scams over the last few years and it seems the hackers are now getting savvy with how to target their victims without really causing an alarm.
The newest form of WhatsApp scam involves OTPs or one-time passwords that you get for logins or other confidential activities like making payment etc. So how does an OTP become an easy gateway for hackers into your WhatsApp account and why it is dangerous, will tell you the full story.
OTPs are essential for everyone because all of their digital accounts are linked to their phone number. WhatsApp is also using OTPs to authenticate your identity by sending an SMS to the operator to confirm you are the original owner. So, giving OTPs like a present to strangers is a recipe for these disasters. The problem is hackers have become smarter and your data is now easily available on the internet.
How many times have you come across a scammer disguised as your close friend or a relative asking for your OTP which they claim to have come to you accidentally? These are the main tactics employed by the hackers, who gain the trust of the victim, and get access to their WhatsApp account through this login method. “If someone is trying to take over your account, they need the SMS verification code sent to your phone number to do so," WhatsApp explains.
The messaging platform adopts a stringent encryption tech which makes it hard for WhatsApp to identify the person who is trying to login/verify your account.
And if that happens, these scammers can send a distress message and ask for money, or even try to get your personal passwords to empty your bank accounts. The general practice for your safety is no matter who asks for OTPs, never forward or share with them verbally.
WhatsApp also has a set of guidelines for these scams because that’s how serious it has become for its users. “To protect your account, WhatsApp will send you a push notification when someone tries to register a WhatsApp account with your phone number. To keep your account safe, don’t share your verification code with others," the platform advises through its support page.
The safest way to avoid falling into the trap of these WhatsApp OTP scams is to ignore such messages which either ask for your OTP or any other confidential details.
