Cybercriminals can send WhatsApp messages from an unknown number to scam or trick users with social engineering techniques. To block and report these contacts, the instant messaging app offers a simple option to avoid having to deal with these problems.
Did you receive a suspicious WhatsApp message? Block it
WhatsApp allows blocking both the user's contacts and unknown numbers that could have bad intentions, according to the application's official portal.
The instant messaging app subscribes the following way to block a number that is not added to the person's contact list:
- Open WhatsApp chat with unknown number
- Tap “Block” in the tab that also offers the option “Add”.”
- Before blocking the WhatsApp number, clarify the origin of the number and specify if it is part of the user's contact list or if they share common groups to alert the person in question.
- By pressing the “Block“ button, WhatsApp explains in a pop-up window that this contact will no longer be able to call or send messages to the user.
It should be noted that the action of “Block” an unknown number is reversible. However, when pressing the button, the “Block and report“ option also appears, which eliminates the number completely and has no way back.
You can also mute calls from unknown numbers
Any user who has a person's phone number can call them via WhatsApp. And although the app clarifies that the call may come from someone with whom you communicated before and was not saved as a contact, it allows you to mute calls from unknown numbers.
