Again a scam. Again Whatsapp protagonist. This time it’s the one, actually evergreen, of 6-digit unlock codewhat you need to enter on the Meta al chat first boot after installation or number change. A malicious text message essentially asks to send the unlock code (which in the meantime will have been delivered with a separate message) to criminals who are trying to take control of your Whatsapp profile and who precisely need that code, delivered to the user’s number for security, to return to their hands.
The so-called 6-digit code scam is once again affecting many users in Italy and is nothing new. The platform even has a dedicated page where the topic is explained in detail: «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, do not share the verification code with other people. When you receive this notification, it means that someone has entered your phone number and requested the verification code. Often, this happens when another user accidentally dials your number while trying to enter theirs to register, or when someone tries to take control of your account».
In short, if you receive a text message containing a typical text «I sent you a code by mistake, could you send it back to me?» and separately also a 6-digit code (which is the one valid for using the Whatsapp profile on another device), well, that message must be trashed – this should be done in any case also with other requests relating to other services – and the code carefully protected. The element that makes everything a little more complex is that the message often arrives (naturally in disguise) from one of the contacts in the address book, helping to lower psychological defenses. If you send the code back, cybercriminals will be able to access your Whatsapp account oust the legitimate owner in an instant. Address book, audio, photos, videos, documents: everything will end up in their hands. And above all, they will have a delicious springboard to plan other scams, potentially more effective precisely because they are built on effective and real information.
«You should never share your WhatsApp verification code with other people – explains the platform – if someone tries to take control of your account, they will need the SMS verification code sent to your phone number. Without this code, any user who tries to verify your number cannot complete the verification process and use your phone number on WhatsApp. This way you remain in control of your WhatsApp account.”
