You’re not the only one getting those ‘Add me on WhatsApp’ voicemails: Here’s what they mean

If you’ve recently picked up your phone to find yet another bizarre voicemail telling you to add a random number on WhatsApp, you’re very much not alone. In fact, these calls seem to be absolutely everywhere right now.

Has anyone else been receiving those “Please add my number on WhatsApp” voicemails? PISSSSSS OFFFFFF.

— Cw🫶🏽 (@cassandralwx) August 31, 2026

The scam usually starts with a call from an unknown number. Previously, these were often foreign numbers, but people are increasingly reporting calls coming from what look like completely normal UK numbers, making them much harder to immediately clock as suspicious.

Instead of a real person speaking, you’ll hear an automated voice telling you to add a particular number to WhatsApp, sometimes even the number that has just called you.

The message can be along the lines of: “Please add my number on WhatsApp” or, in some cases, something designed to make the call sound vaguely legitimate, such as “I’m with indeed human resources”.

So what’s actually going on?

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It’s a common scam tactic designed to get you to move the conversation over to WhatsApp, where scammers can then try a whole range of different tricks.

Phone calls are particularly useful to scammers because they create a sense of urgency, while WhatsApp is an app most people already use and trust. Once you’ve willingly added the number and started chatting, it becomes much easier for them to continue the scam.

One of the more serious things they may attempt is hijacking your WhatsApp account.

According to Bitdefender, scammers can ask victims for their WhatsApp verification code under false pretences. If the victim hands it over, the scammer can use it to gain access to their account and potentially lock the actual owner out.

From there, things can get even messier.

Once they’ve taken over an account, scammers can message the victim’s friends and family asking for money or personal information, using the fact that the messages are coming from a familiar account to make the request seem believable.

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In some cases, they can even demand a ransom in exchange for giving the account back.

But how did they even get my number?

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This is probably the bit that makes the whole thing feel especially creepy. The fact that you’ve received one of these calls doesn’t necessarily mean someone specifically picked you out.

Scammers may get phone numbers from somewhere they’ve previously been exposed, including following a data breach involving an organisation that holds your details.

Alternatively, they may simply have lists containing thousands of potentially valid numbers and work their way through them, calling numbers to see which ones actually belong to someone.

And once you’ve responded, or even simply answered the call, fraudsters may know that your number is active. That can make you a more attractive target for future scams, including fake job offers, investment schemes and attempts to take over your accounts.

How can you protect yourself?

The easiest thing to do is not engage. If you receive a completely unsolicited call telling you to add a number on WhatsApp, there’s really no reason to do it.

It’s also worth turning on two-step authentication for your WhatsApp account, which gives your account an additional layer of protection.

And be particularly wary of unexpected messages from unknown numbers asking for personal details, money, verification codes or anything else that feels even slightly off.

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Featured image via Canva, X