How to know if your WhatsApp has been cloned?

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in Brazil. Unfortunately, due to its popularity, the app is also the target of scams, including account cloning.

To avoid falling victim to such actions, check the following: 5 tips to understand if your WhatsApp has been cloned. As a bonus, we will also give you advice on what to do if the same thing happens to your profile. Fun!

1. Messages read or sent without your action

If you notice that messages are being read or sent without you present, this could be a sign that someone else has accessed your WhatsApp. Check your message list immediately for any unusual activity.

Pay special attention to the double blue ticks that indicate when a message has been read. If you notice this happening when you are not online, it could be a clear sign that someone else is using your account.

Similarly, if your contacts mention replies you didn’t send or activities you didn’t complete, that’s also a concern.

2. Active WhatsApp Web Sessions

Check if there is an active WhatsApp Web session that you don’t recognize. To do this, open WhatsApp, go to: settings (or Settings), choose WhatsApp Web/Desktop and check if there are any active sessions on unknown devices. Close them all if you have them!

It is worth noting that checking and closing unknown sessions is a good practice to ensure that your account is not being misused.

3. Strange in-app activity

Pay attention to any strange activity on the app, such as changes to your profile that you didn’t make. Unexpected changes could be a sign that someone else is using your account.

Hackers or malicious actors may alter your profile to deceive people or compromise your reputation. If you notice any changes that you did not make, immediately change your WhatsApp security settings and notify your contacts about the possible intrusion.

4. Frequent disconnections

If you find yourself frequently logging out of WhatsApp for no apparent reason, it could be a sign that your account is being accessed from another device. WhatsApp allows the account to be used on only one device at a time, therefore repeated disconnections are suspicious.

It’s worth remembering that the app automatically disconnects an account when it’s accessed from another device. If you find yourself repeatedly falling behind, that’s a big red flag.

In these cases, it is recommended to change passwords and set up two-step verification.

5. Receiving verification codes

Finally, if you receive verification codes via SMS without requesting them, it may mean that someone is trying to save your number on another device. This is obvious, Never share these codes with anyone and be aware of such attempts.

Ignore these codes and if possible, inform WhatsApp support about the hack attempt.

What to do if WhatsApp is cloned?

If you suspect that your Messenger account has been cloned or that it has already been effectively verified, the first thing to do is to confirm the profile and authenticate your device.

To do this, uninstall WhatsApp from your mobile phone and then reinstall it. Enter your number and enter the code that comes via SMS. With this process, The criminal who cloned your WhatsApp will lose access to the account.

Don’t forget to inform your family, friends and acquaintances that your WhatsApp has been cloned. Since there is the possibility of making financial payments through the application, you should always pay close attention to good cybersecurity practices to avoid falling into the trap of scammers.

Did you like the text? Be sure to put into practice some of our tips if necessary and also take the opportunity to find where the WhatsApp trash is in case you lose any information. Until later!

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Updated by Douglas Vieira, 07/16/2024.