Chances are, you’ve received an annoying call recently from someone asking for their number to be added to your WhatsApp.
It’s part of a worrying slew of spam calls people are seemingly being bombarded by.
According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the number of complaints made about automated nuisance calls has almost tripled in three months, reaching its highest level since 2021.
One such call that people are reporting receiving is from a number asking to be added to WhatsApp. Some people note they receive calls offering to discuss a “job offer”, with the caller then asking to have their number added on WhatsApp.
As a Reddit user shared: “I had one of these yesterday. It was a woman’s voice asking me to add her on WhatsApp about a part time job.”
What is this scam even trying to achieve?
WhatsApp has enabled a feature that allows users to block messages from people who aren’t in their contacts. As a result, scammers are trying to find a way around it.
The National Fraud Helpline said scammers are telephoning would-be victims with automated voice messages asking them to add their contact details into their phone to win prizes or to be able to take up job opportunities.
None of the opportunities exist but it’s a way for scammers to get around WhatsApp’s anti-spam and anti-fraud blocking features.
Martin Richardson, senior partner at the National Fraud Helpline, said: “We’re getting more reports of people being left voice messages on their phone from strangers asking the recipient of the phone call to add numbers into their mobile phone’s contact list.
“By adding this number you are allowing scammers to defeat WhatsApp’s ability to block scam messages.”
ICO highlighted that there’s growing concern about AI-powered scam calls as well as automated calls which can be used to trick people into joining WhatsApp groups, sharing personal information or engaging with fraudulent schemes.
“We are actively investigating the rise in automated calls and are urging the public to report their experiences,” it said in a press release.
Andy Curry, head of investigations at the ICO, called the sharp rise in complaints about automated calls “deeply concerning”.
“These calls are not just a nuisance; they can cause real distress and are often designed to manipulate people into handing over personal information or money,” he said.
“The numbers we’re seeing are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. We know many people simply hang up and move on without reporting what happened.”
How to protect yourself
If someone asks to be added to a WhatsApp group, ignore the request and report the number to the ICO.
“Every report helps us build a clearer picture of who’s behind these calls and strengthens our ability to take enforcement action,” said Curry.
“The more information we have, the better equipped we are to identify patterns, investigate those responsible and protect the public from harm. Your complaint could play a vital role in helping us stop these operations.”
if you’ve got an iPhone, you can also set up something called ‘Call Screening’, which automatically answers calls from unknown numbers without interrupting you. (Find out how to do that here.)
You can also register your landline or mobile number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which lets companies know you don’t want to receive marketing calls.
If a number calls which you don’t recognise, the key takeaway is that you don’t have to answer it. Often, if it’s important, they’ll leave a message.
