WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps in the world, with over 2 billion users.
However, this popularity also attracts the attention of criminals who try to hack into users' accounts to carry out scams, such as asking contacts for money or stealing personal data.
But what does it mean to have your WhatsApp cloned? It's when someone manages to access your WhatsApp account on another device, without your consent, and starts impersonating you in conversations.
To do this, scammers use different techniques, such as tricking the operator into porting your number, sending fake messages asking for a verification code or using the web version of WhatsApp on a computer.
If your WhatsApp has been cloned, you may lose access to your app and see strange messages being sent in your name. You may also suffer financial or emotional harm if criminals manage to extort money or information from your contacts.
Therefore, it is very important to protect yourself from this type of fraud and know what to do if it happens to you. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to prevent your WhatsApp from being cloned and how to recover your account if this happens.
Tips on how to prevent WhatsApp from being cloned
• The first tip is to never share your WhatsApp registration code, which is a six-digit code that the app sends via SMS when you install it on a new device. This code is essential to activate your account and should only be used by you. If someone asks for this code for any reason, be suspicious and do not send it.
• The second tip is to activate two-step verification in the app, which is an extra layer of security that requires a six-digit numeric password whenever you register your number on another device. To do this, open the app, click on “Settings”, then on “Account” and then activate “Two-step verification”. Choose a password that you remember and provide an email address to recover it in case you forget it.
• The third tip is to use WhatsApp's screen lock, which allows you to use your biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition) to open the app. This way, you prevent anyone from using your phone without your permission and accessing your conversations. To activate this function, go to “Settings”, then “Account”, then “Privacy” and then select “Screen lock”. Choose the “Request biometrics” option and adjust the time you want the app to be locked.
• The fourth tip is to set up your privacy settings on WhatsApp to limit who can see your personal information, such as your profile picture, status, and message. This can make it harder for scammers to copy your data and create fake profiles to trick your contacts. To do this, go to “Settings,” then “Account,” then “Privacy,” and then choose the options you prefer for each item.
• The fifth tip is to pay attention to the devices connected to the web version of WhatsApp, which allows you to use the application on your computer. You may forget the connected system somewhere or someone may use your cell phone to scan the QR code and access your messages. To check this, open the app on your cell phone and click on the three dots in the upper corner of the screen. Select the “WhatsApp Web” option and see the devices that are connected. If you don’t recognize any of them, disconnect them immediately.
How to Recover Cloned WhatsApp
If you still have your WhatsApp cloned despite following these tips, don't despair. There are a few things you can do to recover your account and minimize the damage.
The first thing is to notify your contacts through other social networks, such as: Instagram and Facebook, about the fraud and ask them to report the cloned account in the app. You should also contact the operator to block the chips and investigate the active lines.
Additionally, you should send an email to support. application requesting the deactivation and recovery of your account. The address is [email protected] and you must provide your number with the country code and area code.
Finally, you must log in to WhatsApp with your phone number and verify the code you receive via SMS to log out other users. If you have activated two-step verification, you will also need to enter your password.
Having your WhatsApp cloned can be a very unpleasant and dangerous experience, but fortunately there are ways to prevent and solve this problem. We hope this article has been useful to you and that you can use the application with more security and peace of mind.