A stranger messages me on WhatsApp: how to verify it
A number you have not saved messages you on WhatsApp: a job offer, a "child" with a new number or a prize. Verify before you reply.
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A stranger messages me on WhatsApp: how to verify it
A number you have not saved messages you on WhatsApp. Sometimes it is a real contact with a new phone, but most of these messages are scam attempts: reports from the NoCall community include more and more numbers that operate through messaging apps.
1. The 3 most common scams
- Fake job offer — "Earn money by liking posts" or simple online tasks that end with a request for an upfront payment.
- The "child in trouble" — "Hi Mum/Dad, this is my new number", followed by an urgent request for money.
- Prize or lucky draw — You have "won" something, but you must pay a fee or hand over your bank details to claim it.
2. Verify through another channel
Do not continue the conversation on the new number: call the person on their usual number, video-call them or ask something only they would know. A real relative will be glad you checked.
3. Never share codes
Nobody legitimate will ask you for a verification code. If someone asks for the WhatsApp code you have just received by SMS, they are trying to take over your account. The same goes for Singpass: never share your Singpass details, and never approve a Singpass login you did not start.
Messages that claim to come from a government agency deserve extra care. The CPF Board, for example, never calls via WhatsApp, and its official WhatsApp accounts are verified with a blue tick.
4. Block and report
In the chat, tap the number and choose "Block" and "Report". Report it on NoCall too, to warn other users, and check or report it through ScamShield. If a supposed relative asks you for money, first read our guides on suspicious calls and messages.
Why is a stranger messaging me on WhatsApp?
It may be a real contact with a new number, but most often it is a scam: fake job offers, the "child in trouble" asking for money urgently, or prizes that require a fee to release them.
How do I verify whether the message is genuine?
Do not play along on the new number: call the person on their usual number or through another channel. Be wary of urgency, sloppy wording and any request for money or verification codes. If you are unsure, the ScamShield Helpline (1799) is available 24/7.
How do I report and block the number on WhatsApp?
Open the chat, tap the number, and choose "Block" and "Report". You can also report the number on NoCall and through ScamShield to warn other users.
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Article details
Editorial content reviewed by NoCall with practical context for spotting suspicious calls and messages.
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