'Add me to WhatsApp' scam calls to be investigated
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office is investigating a surge in automated 'robo calls' that instruct recipients to contact the caller via WhatsApp. Authorities warn these calls are likely part of a recruitment scam designed to facilitate financial fraud or phishing.
Why it matters
The rise in these scams highlights the growing threat of automated fraud targeting the general public.
Image source, Getty Images By Tom Moseley You and Yours Published 25 minutes ago The UK's data watchdog is investigating a spike in complaints about "robo calls" - where a recorded voice asks you to add them on WhatsApp - that are suspected to lead to a recruitment scam.
The Information Commission's Office (ICO) had more than 3,600 complaints about automated calls in September - a five-year high and nearly three times the number it had in July.
But it suspects millions of people are getting these calls and told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours it was "deeply concerned" by the sharp rise.
The ICO advises people to ignore calls from numbers they don't recognise, and to block and report any suspicious calls to the watchdog.
The automated calls typically come from what appears to be a UK mobile number.
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