WhatsAppp users are being warned about a worrying scam that allows people to access your account - then lock you out.
People receive a message seemingly from a friend which states: "Hello, sorry, I sent you a 6-digit code by mistake, can you pass it to me please? It's urgent?"
The Express reports, the code, which is sent alongside the message, then gives criminals access to your account.
One WhatsApp user posted on Twitter: "Three members of my family have lost access to their WhatsApp this morning.
"Hackers send a text message from WA with a verification code, then a WhatsApp text from someone you know saying they desperately need the code. Do not send the code or click the link."
Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine said he had fallen victim - and hackers had access to his contact list which they used to target more people.
Ray Walsh, Digital Privacy Expert at ProPrivacy, told the Express: "WhatsApp users need to be on the lookout for a worrying new scam that is allowing cybercriminals to hack into people’s WhatsApp accounts.
"Anybody who receives a message out of the blue with a one-time PIN code should be extremely wary because this is how the attack starts.
"Following the receipt of the unexpected OTP code, the hacker will send the victim a direct message claiming to be their friend or contact. They will then ask to be forwarded the code by claiming to have mistakenly sent it to them.
"That code is actually the two-factor authentication code for accessing the victim's WhatsApp account, and once the victim forwards it to the hacker they will use it to hack into their account.
"Always be on the lookout for any text messages that contain an OTP code and never, ever forward or screenshot or otherwise pass those codes on to anybody, no matter how genuine they sound."
