Derbyshire Constabulary have seen an increase in reports of WhatsApp accounts being taken over, with friends and family of the victim subsequently being defrauded, believing they are communicating with someone they know and trust.

You may receive a message or audio call via WhatsApp from a member of a WhatsApp group chat you belong to - this could be a Church/Religious or Social group, or even a work or student group.

Mention is made of setting up a group call or online meeting, and that you are about to receive a code. You are asked to provide the code to allow you entry to the meeting.  Alternatively, they may claim to be admin cleaning up the group and ask for the code for you to remain or be removed.

NEVER forward or disclose a code you receive via WhatsApp - it will be a security code for YOUR WhatsApp account, which if shared, will allow somebody else to take over YOUR account and message your friends and family in your name using your profile.

If you should become a victim of account takeover, or lose money to this scam, please report to www.actionfraud.police.uk

Anyone needing assistance or advice in recovering their account can email community@emcrc.co.uk for account recovery guidance.

Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).