Some UK residents report several daily calls or messages from ordinary-looking mobile numbers, offering part-time work or urging them to add the caller on WhatsApp. A cybersecurity expert says the aim is to keep chats going; a data breach is possible, not established.
Kevin Walker said caller ID can be spoofed, so a normal-looking UK mobile number does not confirm who is calling. Numbers could come from old data breaches, marketing lists, scraped social media, CVs or recruitment sites, compromised accounts, resale, or automated attempts across number ranges. Information used in a campaign now may have been collected months or years earlier.
Walker said simply answering a call does not mean a phone has been hacked, though it may confirm the number is active and invite more attempts. He advised ending the chat, blocking and reporting the WhatsApp account, avoiding links and limiting profile visibility. Anyone who clicked a link, downloaded an app, shared a password or verification code, disclosed personal or financial information, or sent money should act quickly. Ofcom recommends WhatsApp’s reporting tools; suspicious SMS messages can be forwarded to 7726.
