Source
r/whatsapp•
nachof

Locked out of account by remote user

Hello. Today I got an sms message with a verification code, and then a WhatsApp message from a Panama number asking for the verification code. Of course I didn't send it, but instead started talking to the guy. Guy told me that he wanted the old groups, apparently for selling them. He told me to give him the old groups or he would deactivate my WhatsApp account. I told him that I didn't have any old enough groups, and that also I wouldn't give him anything even if I did. Next thing I know, I get locked out of my WhatsApp account and can't log in again, it tells me to wait 12 hours.

So ok, I can wait 12 hours. It's night already, I can try tomorrow morning. But how can I prevent this from happening again?

One theory is that the guy falsely reported my number as stolen. Is this consistent with what I'm seeing?

I already sent this exact same message to WhatsApp support, but since I don't know if I'll get a response I figured I can ask here too.

Thanks.

Posted Mar 6, 2021, 2:03 AM UTC

85
dida2010•

Delete the app, and reinstall it?

1
nachofOP•

That would make the data go away, and I believe I would still have been locked.

1
bilysam•

Well so he requested to WhatsApp support that he lost his mobile and gave your number and the system deactivated account (just logs anyone who is logged in), now for the code. either you wait or try WhatsApp support again to get your registration reset. If you are lucky you will get it reset otherwise just wait. Add a 2fa pin once you get access.

1
nachofOP•

Thanks. Asking support using the incantation I found in another post ("I can't request codes because of hack attempts") worked.

I added 2fa and I think the guy tried to lock me out again (I got a message which I parsed as a "probe" to see if/when my account was reactivated by looking at delivery notifications, followed by a few sms messages with codes), but no changes. Does the 2fa thing prevent the fake lost mobile email method? Maybe by asking for the pin for resetting it?

Thanks!

1
bilysam•

Well there is nothing much you can do with fake lost mobile method. I guess WhatsApp support blocks if there are too many deactivation request for a number. The 2fa will only prevent if someone got your otp code, without 2fa they won't get inside.

1