Why everyone is suddenly getting more scam calls with request to add caller on WhatsApp

Many brits have reported getting an increased number of spam calls in recent weeks, and experts have suggested there is a specific reason why.

People took to social media platform Reddit to discuss the apparent increase, with some reporting getting calls about job offer, or asking for someone to add them on WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, experts have advised people to check the security and privacy settings on their devices to stay safe.

While spam calls are certainly not a new thing, there is one new factor which has made fielding a huge number of spam calls in a way that is more convincing a lot easier for would-be criminals - this is, of course, AI.

Using AI allows criminals to more closely imitate a human cadence, as opposed to a more easily detected robotic voice that many of us will be familiar with.

There is also a reason why callers would try to move to WhatsApp as - calls on WhatsApp are encrypted, and this makes them more difficult for service providers to track and screen.

Mobile UK is an industry body, and told The Sun: “While networks filter out vast numbers of threats daily, fraudsters constantly adapt their approaches to lure people onto third-party platforms."

People have reported receiving more scam calls (Getty Stock)

They added: “We urge consumers to remain vigilant, never share personal details, and report any suspected scam calls or texts by forwarding them free of charge to 7726 so networks can take immediate action.”

Many people discussed the apparent increase in calls on Reddit, with one person suggesting it may be the result of recent data breaches.

"Apparently.. it's the 'run on' from online data leaks months ago," they wrote. "They're now at a 'verification' stage - spamming all those phone numbers to see who picks up and verifying they are real.

"So - in the future - those numbers get sold on as 'validated' and you get even more 'real' spam!"

Another wrote: "I've had the same number for a very long time, but the last couple of weeks I've been getting lots of spam calls from mobiles or numbers with local dialling codes."

One person said that they'd noticed an increase since a data breach they'd seen in the news, writing: "I've been getting loads since the Manchester airport data breach. So I assumed that was to blame."

Scammers send out enormous numbers of calls and messages, the vast majority of which are blocked or ignored, but it only takes a handful of people to click the link or move to another site for the scam to pay off.

Scammers often push people to make a decision quickly (Getty Stock)

Virgin Media O2 said: “In the last few months, we have seen a slight uptick in the number of scam calls being flagged to customers as suspicious.

“Demonstrating that our systems are continuing to identify and warn customers about potential threats before they engage with them.”

It added: “Unfortunately, the rise of AI has made it easier for scammers to operate automated scam calling which might be a factor behind this trend.”

Phones do have tools you can use to screen out calls from unknown numbers as a way to avoid scammers reaching you at all, which can be accessed in your device's settings.

There are also a number of red flags that you can watch out for in order to spot a potential scammer.

One big one is that you were not expecting a call from anyone. If you receive a cold call from someone you don't know, this may be a scam.

When you are speaking to someone who is a scammer then they may try to isolate you from speaking to other people to ask their opinion on something, and push you to make a quick decision.

That might look like dangling a potential payoff - you need to send this much money now to claim a reward in a month, but the deadline is today. Alternatively it might take a negative approach, for example saying that you need to pay a 'fine' within six hours or the so-called penalty will increase.