<p>For long cyber experts and even government and financial institutions have been warning citizens never to share One-Time-Password (OTP) with anybody on phone. And yet, many are falling prey to the tricks played by hackers and lose hard-earned money or sensitive information.</p>.<p>Now, in the latest instant, WhatsApp users are getting hoodwinked by bad actors. The modus operandi is the same. They pose as friends or a desperate fellow citizen, who accidentally sent a 6-digit OTP code to the wrong phone number (yours). They ask the victim to pass it on to them so that they can complete an urgent money transaction. </p>.<p>For instant attention, they give dramatic excuses that they have to pay hospital bills or college fees. DO NOT FALL FOR THESE ACTS.</p>.<p>If not, they will take over the WhatsApp account on the web and access your contacts' phone numbers and also photos, financial details if shared on the messenger app with a loved person. And, this will lead to a vicious cycle, as the bad actor will take note of the contact details and play the same trick on your friends and family members. </p>.<p>We are not sure we stressing this enough, but WhatsApp users or any mobile phone owners never share an OTP with anybody via SMS or on a phone call.</p>.<p>Also, it is advised to set up two-factor authentication to safeguard from hackers taking over your account.</p>.<p><strong>Here's how to activate two-step security verification on WhatsApp: </strong><br /><strong>Step 1:</strong> Open WhatsApp Settings.<br /><strong>Step 2: </strong>Tap Account > Two-step verification > Enable.<br /><strong>Step 3: </strong>Enter a six-digit PIN of your choice and confirm it. Provide an email address you can access or tap Skip if you don’t want to add an email address. <br /><strong>Note:</strong> It is highly recommended to add an email address as this allows you to reset two-step verification, and helps safeguard your account.<br /><strong>Step 4:</strong> Tap Next.<br /><strong>Step 5: </strong>Confirm the email address and tap Save or Done.</p>.<p>Not just WhatsApp, cybercriminals posing as Income Tax officials or bank executives, use emails and phone calls to trick people to reveal their financial details. Beware of these activities.</p>.<p>Must read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/what-is-phishing-heres-how-to-prevent-online-fraud-732404.html" target="_blank">What is phishing? Here's how to prevent online fraud</a></p>.<p><em>Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/dh-tech?_ga=2.210580691.73733284.1595225125-1706599323.1592232366" target="_blank">DH Tech</a>.</em></p>
<p>For long cyber experts and even government and financial institutions have been warning citizens never to share One-Time-Password (OTP) with anybody on phone. And yet, many are falling prey to the tricks played by hackers and lose hard-earned money or sensitive information.</p>.<p>Now, in the latest instant, WhatsApp users are getting hoodwinked by bad actors. The modus operandi is the same. They pose as friends or a desperate fellow citizen, who accidentally sent a 6-digit OTP code to the wrong phone number (yours). They ask the victim to pass it on to them so that they can complete an urgent money transaction. </p>.<p>For instant attention, they give dramatic excuses that they have to pay hospital bills or college fees. DO NOT FALL FOR THESE ACTS.</p>.<p>If not, they will take over the WhatsApp account on the web and access your contacts' phone numbers and also photos, financial details if shared on the messenger app with a loved person. And, this will lead to a vicious cycle, as the bad actor will take note of the contact details and play the same trick on your friends and family members. </p>.<p>We are not sure we stressing this enough, but WhatsApp users or any mobile phone owners never share an OTP with anybody via SMS or on a phone call.</p>.<p>Also, it is advised to set up two-factor authentication to safeguard from hackers taking over your account.</p>.<p><strong>Here's how to activate two-step security verification on WhatsApp: </strong><br /><strong>Step 1:</strong> Open WhatsApp Settings.<br /><strong>Step 2: </strong>Tap Account > Two-step verification > Enable.<br /><strong>Step 3: </strong>Enter a six-digit PIN of your choice and confirm it. Provide an email address you can access or tap Skip if you don’t want to add an email address. <br /><strong>Note:</strong> It is highly recommended to add an email address as this allows you to reset two-step verification, and helps safeguard your account.<br /><strong>Step 4:</strong> Tap Next.<br /><strong>Step 5: </strong>Confirm the email address and tap Save or Done.</p>.<p>Not just WhatsApp, cybercriminals posing as Income Tax officials or bank executives, use emails and phone calls to trick people to reveal their financial details. Beware of these activities.</p>.<p>Must read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/what-is-phishing-heres-how-to-prevent-online-fraud-732404.html" target="_blank">What is phishing? Here's how to prevent online fraud</a></p>.<p><em>Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/dh-tech?_ga=2.210580691.73733284.1595225125-1706599323.1592232366" target="_blank">DH Tech</a>.</em></p>
