The Bermuda Police Service is advising the public to exercise increased caution in the wake of reports of people’s WhatsApp accounts being compromised and used to perpetrate fraudulent financial schemes.

Hackers reportedly gain unauthorized access to an individual's WhatsApp account by deceiving the user into disclosing their six-digit verification code. Having gained access, the hackers impersonate the victim and message that person’s contacts, requesting urgent financial assistance or, sensitive information.

What to Look Out For:

Unusual Messages from Friends or Family: If a contact messages you asking for financial assistance, verify their identity through a phone call or in-person conversation before taking any action.

Requests for OTP or Verification Codes: It is imperative that you do not disclose your one-time password (OTP) or verification codes to any individual, regardless of whether the request appears to originate from a reputable source.

Urgency and Pressure: Fraudsters frequently instill a sense of urgency in order to compel victims to act without considering the consequences.

Protect Yourself:

Enable two-step verification. Enable WhatsApp's two-step verification for an added degree of protection. This feature requires a PIN to access your account.

Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious when sharing personal or account-related information, even with trusted contacts.

Stay Informed: Regularly update yourself on cybersecurity best practices to recognize and avoid scams.

What to do if you are a victim:

Immediately inform your contacts via alternative means of the hack to prevent further exploitation.

Report the incident to WhatsApp via the in-app help feature.

File a report with the Bermuda Police Service at https://portal.police.bm.

The Bermuda Police Service remains committed to raising awareness about digital safety and encourages everyone to remain vigilant. By working together, we can reduce the impact of these fraudulent activities on our communities.