If you want to avoid falling victim to identity fraud or a hijacked Whatsapp, you need to turn on this simple setting: two-step verification.

Whatsapp

Last year I wrote an article for the City Press on how to avoid falling for the verification code scam, you can read it here. In this post I will show you a step-by-step on how to turn it on.

While in conversation with several people, they’ve mentioned how they didn’t know Whatsapp had its own two-step verification. So if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not the only one as lots of features get rolled out within months and it may be difficult to keep track.

Whatsapp two-step verification for iPhone and Android

STEP 1: Open Whatsapp and go to Settings

STEP 2: Tap on Account > Two-Step Verification

STEP 3: Create a 6-digit PIN and confirm it.

STEP 4: You will be prompted to add an optional email address in case you forget your PIN. You can either add it or skip it.

STEP 5: Save or confirm. That’s it. You’re all set!

Every now and then Whatsapp will prompt you for your two-step verification code when you open the app. If you forget your 6-digit code, you can reset it after seven days if you don’t add the optional email. Otherwise, if you add an email address as a backup, you will receive a reset code link on it.

Important to note, this is not the same code as the one you receive when you first set-up your account via SMS or call.

NB: Please turn this feature on if you haven’t already done so. You don’t need to be a celebrity, influencer or content creator to be a victim of a hijacked Whatsapp account. All the fraudsters want to do is message your contacts to ask for money, pretending that you’re in an unfortunate situation.