This scam hijacks your WhatsApp account within seconds. Scammers impersonate your contacts, claim they accidentally sent a code to your number, and ask you to forward it. Doing so gives them full access to your account.
About this scam type: Someone asking you to forward or share your WhatsApp verification code
ScamRadar verdict: scam · Risk score: 97/100
Friend (compromised account): Hey! I accidentally sent my WhatsApp verification code to your number. Can you forward it to me real quick? It's a 6-digit code that just came through. I'm locked out!
Sharing that code transfers your WhatsApp account to the scammer's phone. They then message your contacts pretending to be you, often asking for emergency money transfers.
If you already shared the code, your WhatsApp account is being taken over right now. Open WhatsApp on your phone immediately and try to sign back in by registering with your phone number — this will send you a new code that, when entered, kicks the scammer out. Then enable two-step verification under Settings > Account > Two-step verification with a 6-digit PIN they cannot guess. Warn all your WhatsApp contacts that your account was briefly compromised and to ignore any money requests sent in the past few hours. The scammer will message your contacts asking for emergency Zelle, Venmo, or wire transfers — those messages are not from you. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
WhatsApp verification codes are tied to phone number registration. The only person who needs your code is you, when registering WhatsApp on a new device. If a friend asks for your verification code, their account has been hacked and the request is from the scammer using their identity. Call your friend by phone (not WhatsApp) to verify before doing anything. Never share verification codes for any service with anyone — real services tell you this in every code message they send.
They don't. WhatsApp verification codes are only for the account holder registering on a new device. If a friend asks for your code, their WhatsApp has been compromised and a scammer is messaging you using their identity. Call the friend by phone to confirm.
Your WhatsApp account transfers to the scammer's phone. They can read your messages, message your contacts pretending to be you, and request money from your friends and family. You can reclaim it by re-registering your number, which kicks them out.
Enable two-step verification under Settings > Account > Two-step verification and set a 6-digit PIN. Even if a scammer gets your verification code, they cannot complete registration without the PIN.
Open WhatsApp and register with your phone number again. The new verification code logs you back in and forces the scammer's session out. Then immediately enable two-step verification and warn your contacts about any messages sent in the past few hours.
Email support@whatsapp.com from the email tied to your account. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Warn the friend whose compromised account contacted you so they can recover theirs too.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-24 by the ScamRadar editorial team. We update this page when scammer tactics change or when official agencies issue new guidance.
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