Econet moves to restore blocked WhatsApp accounts
Story By Boitumelo Makhurane
Econet Wireless is working with Meta to help customers recover WhatsApp accounts that hackers have blocked or compromised. The company says a recent wave of incidents prompted the effort.
In a statement, the telecommunications group said it is supporting affected subscribers through the recovery process. It is also monitoring the situation closely.
“Econet wishes to assure customers that it is actively addressing the recent incidents,” the company said. It added that its talks with Meta aim to restore affected accounts as quickly as possible.
Dedicated support line
Customers who need help can dial the short code 658 for WhatsApp support. Econet service centres and shops also offer assistance. Customers can reach the company through its digital and social media platforms too.
Security precautions
Econet urges customers to strengthen their account security. It recommends enabling passkeys and two-step verification on WhatsApp.
The company also gave subscribers several warnings:
- Never share PINs, passwords or one-time passwords with anyone.
- Be careful when responding to unfamiliar calls and messages.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
- Verify any request for money, even when it appears to come from a friend, relative or colleague.
The warning on financial requests matters most. Fraudsters can use compromised accounts to impersonate the owners and ask their contacts for money.
Scammers often exploit the trust that familiar names carry. They make urgent requests for cash and rely on victims acting quickly.
Econet advises customers to verify such requests independently. A phone call or a face-to-face check works best before anyone sends money.
The company promised to keep customers updated as the situation develops.
Reporting based on original coverage by Newsday.
