CyberSense Ep. 18 · WhatsApp Scams

💬 Full transcript: WhatsApp Scams – The Messages Hiding in Plain Sight

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.

Quick Tip

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

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

— Declan Hardie, CyberSense