Don’t Get Caught! The Top 10 WhatsApp Scams To Watch For In 2026

Essentials to know

• In Australia, scams delivered via texts and messaging apps are a major and evolving threat: the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Targeting Scams report highlights the scale of scam activity reported by Australians each year.
• From “Hi Mum” impersonation messages to fake jobs, romance-baiting investment scams, and phishing links, scammers use urgency and emotional pressure to push people into quick decisions.
• Many scams aim to steal money, personal details, or take over your WhatsApp account by tricking you into sharing a verification code or changing call settings.
• Verify identities, never share one-time codes or banking details, and treat unexpected links, QR codes, invoices, and “too-good-to-be-true” offers as red flags.
• Use two-step verification, educate staff, and consider a dedicated WhatsApp Business number to separate personal and professional use, then report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber.

How are you protecting yourself against WhatsApp scams? It’s tempting to believe you won’t fall for one – but scammers are getting more convincing, and they often target people when they’re busy, stressed, or mid-task.

Most of these schemes start on WhatsApp Messenger, but as more Aussie businesses turn to WhatsApp Business for customer bookings, quotes, deliveries, and order updates, scammers are increasingly testing tactics on small business owners and their teams.

So how can you make sure you don’t fall victim? Read on to discover the top WhatsApp scams to watch out for in 2026, how they play out, and what you can do to keep your personal info (and your money) safe.

How common are WhatsApp scams?

Scams are a persistent issue in Australia, and messaging-led fraud is part of that picture. The National Anti-Scam Centre’s annual report shares data on scam trends reported by Australians, including how scammers use convincing stories and fast-moving tactics to pressure victims (Targeting Scams report).

One of the most well-known WhatsApp patterns is the “Hi Mum” (family impersonation) scam. Scamwatch has specifically warned Australians that victims are often contacted through WhatsApp by someone pretending to be a child, friend, or family member – usually claiming they’ve lost their phone and need urgent help (Scamwatch warning).

The most common scams to watch out for on WhatsApp in 2026

This isn’t an exhaustive list – scammers are always coming up with new tricks – but it covers the most common WhatsApp scams Aussie small businesses and their teams should be ready to spot.

1. The ‘friend or family member in need’ scam

Nothing tugs at the heartstrings like a plea for help from someone you love – and scammers exploit that emotional connection for their own gain.

In Australia, this often shows up as the classic “Hi Mum” message: the scammer claims they’ve lost or damaged their phone and are messaging from a new number, then asks for urgent help paying a bill or transferring money (Scamwatch).

They’ll often try to keep you in the chat and pressure you to move fast, hoping you won’t stop to verify who you’re really speaking to.

What you can do: If you receive an unusual request over WhatsApp, don’t reply in the same thread. Call the person using a trusted number you already have saved (or check with another family member). It can also help to set up a simple “family password” that you’ll use to confirm identity in emergencies.

2. Job offer scams

Recruiters do sometimes use WhatsApp to get in touch with potential new hires – but unsolicited messages offering unrealistic pay or “easy remote work” are a major red flag.

These scams often push you to click a link, share personal details, or pay a fee for “training,” “equipment,” or “processing.” For small business owners, the same tactics can show up as fake “contractor applications” or fake supplier outreach designed to steal business identity details.

What you can do: Be alert with any unexpected contact. Check whether the business is legitimate and whether the role exists on an official website. If you suspect it’s fraudulent, block the number and don’t click on any links.

3. Romance scams

Romance scams prey on users looking to find love, with scammers impersonating a genuine romantic interest on popular dating apps before moving the conversation over to WhatsApp. That switch can make the relationship feel more “real” – and more private.

In Australia, Scamwatch warns that relationship scams can also blend into investment scams – scammers build trust, then pressure victims to send money, buy gift cards, or “invest” in crypto (Relationship scams; Dating + investment scam alert). If you do end up in crypto conversations, ASIC’s Moneysmart also outlines common warning signs (Crypto scams).

What you can do: Be cautious if someone you’ve never met tries to move fast, asks for money, or introduces “investment opportunities.” Reverse image search their photos and cross-check details on other platforms. If money enters the conversation, slow down and seek advice.

4. Call forwarding scams

These attacks attempt to take over your WhatsApp account using a call forwarding trick. WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted and messages are stored on your device, so scammers can’t access past conversations – but if they can intercept a verification call or code, they can register your account on another phone.

The scam usually involves pressuring you to dial numbers starting with * or # (MMI/USSD-style codes) that can change call settings – for example, to forward calls to a different number.

Once your account is hijacked, scammers may message your contacts asking for money, or target customers and suppliers if you use WhatsApp for business.

What you can do: Avoid calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp. If someone tells you to dial codes or “test” call settings, don’t do it. Take a breath and verify who you’re dealing with via a known contact method.

5. Lottery scams

We all dream of winning big – and scammers take advantage of those hopes using lottery win schemes. They message claiming you’ve won and ask for personal information or a “fee” to release the money.

They’ll often rush you to respond quickly or tell you to keep it secret. Legitimate lotteries don’t operate like that.

What you can do: Ignore or report any ‘lottery win’ messages on WhatsApp. If you haven’t entered, you can’t win. If you have entered something real, verify it through the organisation’s official website – not via WhatsApp links.

6. QR code scams

QR scams (sometimes called “quishing”) use QR codes to hide phishing links. A scammer might send a QR code for “payment,” “verification,” or “claiming a prize,” leading you to a fake site or malware download.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre explains that quishing is phishing via QR code – designed to trick you into handing over personal information or downloading malware (ACSC: Quishing).

What you can do: Treat QR codes with the same suspicion as unknown links. Only scan QR codes you were expecting and can verify – and never scan a code sent by a stranger asking for payment or login details.

7. WhatsApp Gold scams

The WhatsApp Gold scam has been around since 2016. Fraudsters invite you to ‘upgrade’ to a premium version called WhatsApp Gold – which doesn’t exist. Clicking the link can install malware or take you to a fake login page.

Some versions use scare tactics (“don’t open this video!”) and encourage you to forward the message to contacts – like an old-school chain letter.

What you can do: Don’t forward scare messages. If you receive an invitation to WhatsApp Gold (or Diamond, or Platinum, or anything similar), delete it immediately without clicking.

8. Fake giveaways and surveys

Big brands go to great lengths to build trust – and scammers exploit that confidence to steal your personal information.

Scammers often impersonate legitimate companies with a message asking you to fill in a survey to enter a prize draw or receive a gift card. In reality, the link captures your personal information and can lead to identity theft or payment fraud.

What you can do: Ignore messages from companies you haven’t subscribed to. If it’s a brand you do use, go directly to their official website (not via WhatsApp) to verify competitions and prizes.

9. WhatsApp verification code scams

Verifying your WhatsApp Business account is quick, easy and secure – as long as you keep your verification code private.

This scam usually starts with you receiving a verification code despite not requesting one. Then a scammer messages saying they “sent it by mistake” and asks you to forward it. If you do, they can verify your WhatsApp account on their device and lock you out. WhatsApp’s own guidance is clear: if you receive a code you didn’t request, don’t share it (WhatsApp FAQ).

What you can do: Never share your verification code. If you receive a code without requesting it, assume someone is attempting an account takeover and lock down your account immediately.

10. WhatsApp tech support scams

Scammers may pose as “WhatsApp support” (or even “Meta support”) and claim there’s an issue with your account. They’ll often add urgency – saying you’ll be locked out if you don’t respond – then ask for verification codes, personal information, or banking details.

Be careful with “verified” visuals: scammers can fake a tick in their profile photo. A genuine verification badge appears next to the name (not inside an image).

What you can do: Be wary of any “support” message you didn’t initiate. WhatsApp won’t ask you to pay fees or share verification codes in chat. Block and report the contact if you receive requests like this.

How can I stay safe on WhatsApp?

Follow these top tips to keep your WhatsApp Business account secure:

• Stop and think before responding to an unexpected message – scammers rely on urgency and distraction
• Question all unusual requests for money, gift cards, or bank transfers
• Set up a ‘password’ with family, friends, or key staff, for emergencies from unknown numbers
• Verify identity via a known contact method (like calling a saved number), not by replying in the same chat
• Set up two-step verification on your WhatsApp account – WhatsApp explains how here

Always block suspicious messages and report them in WhatsApp. In Australia, you can also report scams to Scamwatch and report cybercrime to ReportCyber.

Is WhatsApp Business secure?

WhatsApp protects messages with end-to-end encryption – but most scams don’t “break” encryption. They trick people into handing over money, codes, or access. Staying alert, using two-step verification, and training your team on scam patterns is the best defense.

Help keep your communications sane and easy to manage with a virtual number for WhatsApp to help separate your work and personal life. A dedicated WhatsApp Business number or business eSIM not only stops business calls from intruding into private time, but also helps you avoid scams – after all, why would your mum be calling your business number when she has your personal one?