WhatsApp users placed on red alert - follow 3 new rules or your account is at risk

A new scam is sweeping across parts of Europe, and getting caught out could leave you locked out of your WhatsApp account and give cyber crooks total control of your messages. The latest threat, which was spotted by the team at Bitdefender, is using a worrying new tactic, and it's simple to see how some have been fooled. The attack starts with a simple message that appears to have come from one of your contacts.

It reads "Hi! Please vote for Adeline in this contest, she's the daughter of a close friend. The main prize is a scholarship abroad. Thank you so much!"

That all looks pretty harmless, but once the link is clicked, you'll be taken to a fake website where you'll be asked to vote. A message then pops up asking for your phone number, along with a code that will be received on the device.

Of course, there is no vote and this is purely a scam aimed at getting access to WhatsApp accounts. Once a cyber crook gets a phone number and that WhatsApp security code, they can then access your account and lock you out of it.

Once that happens, they set about sending more fake messages to your contacts, which can be used to trick people into handing over money or personal details.

"This gives attackers instant access to their accounts, which they then use to propagate the scam and defraud new victims of money," Bitedender said.

The threat is currently ongoing and with attackers now deploying 177 fraudulent domains and 554 unique URLs, targeting thousands of users over the past two months alone.

"Bitdefender Labs has been monitoring a rapidly expanding campaign that exploits WhatsApp users through fraudulent "voting contests" to take over accounts and steal money," Bitedender explaned.

"This "Vote for My Child" scam hijacks accounts by tricking users into sharing their verification codes, turning friends and family into unknowing amplifiers of the fraud."

So far, it appears the majority of the attacks have taken place in areas such as Poland, Romania and Germany, but the UK could be next, so stay alert.

To help WhatsApp users saty safe, Bitefender has now issued some advice and tips on how to avoid being scammed. These include not sharing any codes and reporting strange messages.

Here's some of Bitedenders' advice and three rules to stop you getting scammed

• Never share your WhatsApp verification code with anyone - not even friends or family

• Verify requests for money or favours through a direct phone call

• Report suspicious messages within WhatsApp ("More → Report")

If hacked:

• Try to regain control by requesting a new verification code

• Contact WhatsApp support at support@whatsapp.com

• Notify your bank if money has been transferred

• Inform your contacts about the compromise