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UK data watchdog investigates spike in WhatsApp scam robo calls
The Information Commissioner's Office received more than 3,600 complaints about automated calls in September, a five year high and nearly three times July levels.
The UK Information Commissioner's Office is investigating a sharp rise in complaints about automated robo calls that prompt people to add the caller on WhatsApp, which the watchdog suspects are linked to a recruitment scam, according to BBC Business.
The ICO said it logged more than 3,600 complaints about automated calls in September, a five year high and nearly three times the number recorded in July, with the regulator saying it is deeply concerned by the increase, BBC Business reported.
The ICO advised people to ignore calls from numbers they do not recognize, and to block and report suspicious calls to the watchdog, the outlet said.
A telecoms industry body representative told BBC Business he could not confirm the exact scam steps, but said victims could be directed to a fake job listing that may involve money muling or passing criminal funds through an account, leading to serious consequences.