Have you ever received a suspicious WhatsApp video call from an unknown number? You’re not alone. With the rise of online scams, especially those involving WhatsApp, many users wonder: can anyone hack WhatsApp video call?
Let’s break it down and understand how and when your WhatsApp becomes vulnerable and a hotspot for scammers.
Is WhatsApp Video Call Safe?
When using WhatsApp, you often see a message that all your calls & messages are encrypted. But what does this mean?
Let’s break it down. This means that:
- Only you and the other person talking can see or hear your messages & conversation.
- Even WhatsApp itself cannot access the call content.
- WhatsApp does not store any data on its server.
So, in simple terms, technically, your WhatsApp video call cannot be hacked.
But, at the same time, there are news reports where people are falling victim to one or the other scams on WhatsApp. What’s that?
Well, scammers are reaching beyond tech to scam you.
They impersonate a fake personality that could be your friend or family and trick you by targeting your emotions or by other means.
To give the context, many people often wonder and report the case, “Why am I getting a WhatsApp registration code,” especially when they have not tried to reinstall the app.
Now, this seems to be harmless, until the scammer is able to steal that code from your device.
Thinking how, let’s get into the detail of the fraud that is way beyond your thought.
WhatsApp Video Call Scam
No doubt, it is almost impossible to hack your WhatsApp account, and scammers know about this.
Instead of wasting time on that, they are using other ways to trick people, where people themselves end up giving them access to.
Wondering how?
Here is how you can get scammed through WhatsApp video calls:
- You get a WhatsApp video call from a stranger, often with a display photo of a woman.
- When you answer, the screen goes black, and suddenly, inappropriate or fake content is shown.
- The call is recorded without your knowledge.
- Later, you receive threats of leaking the video unless you pay money.
This isn’t hacking. It’s digital blackmail.
Other ways by which scammers trick you are by forcing you to install a third-party app during a call that gives them access to record your screen and steal data.
Sometimes, a scammer calls you impersonating a police officer and threatens you by mentioning a fake case against you.
Now, whatever way they use, the objective is one, to wipe off your bank account.
But your awareness can protect you from that.
How to Protect Yourself from WhatsApp Video Call Scam?
Awareness is the key to protection in this case. Hence, it is important to stay alert and follow the tips below to protect yourself:
- Don’t Answer Unknown Video Calls
- Disable Auto-Download of Media
- Avoid Installing Untrusted Apps
- Enable Two-Step Verification
Conclusion
So, if you are still wondering, can you get scammed on WhatsApp? The answer is yes.
And in today’s time, it is important to stay informed as scammers are thinking beyond technology and targeting your emotions to trick you.
