A verification code is a series of numbers and/or letters sent via SMS, phone call, or email to confirm your identity when conducting transactions while using a service.
Many apps and websites use a verification code to confirm user requests such as password changes, bank transactions, or the installation of apps on a new device. As a result, new scams have been devised to try to trick the user into revealing these codes to allow criminals to access their services.
One common example is the “cloned WhatsApp” scam. In this scam, criminals pretend to be representatives of a well-known company such as a bank, a store, a utility company, or an Internet service provider and request a confirmation code under the pretense of confirming a purchase or registration. In reality, the scammer is trying to install the victim's WhatsApp account on another device, and the verification code the user receives enables this transfer.
If the criminal manages to transfer your account to another device, in addition to having access to all your conversations, they can impersonate you and try to deceive your contacts by requesting money or use your account for other scams.
This is why you should never share your verification code, even if the person seems trustworthy. If someone has gained access to your account, try to report the unauthorized access through the social network or app involved, and request a password change or log out of the affected device. It's also important to file a police report of the incident.
Description
In the first scene, a woman confirms access to her bank's website by entering a verification code. Above, a text reads: “Verification codes are used to confirm your identity, validate access, change passwords, and confirm transactions.”
In the second scene, the woman receives a call from a man who asks her for a confirmation code. The phrase “Did you receive a call asking for a verification code?” appears and then changes to “Don't share your verification code! It could be a scam!”. The caller then turns into a scammer and the woman tries to turn off her phone.
LICENÇACC BY-ND
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