Police today warned the public against a data-stealing scam sent to phones through the WhatsApp message service.

A spokesman said it was “something every single user of this popular app needs to be aware of”.

Detective Inspector Derricka Burns of the BPS special investigations crime division said: “What we have learnt is that messages are being received from an overseas number requesting that the subscriber verify the WhatsApp account by entering a five-digit code which is provided by the scammer.

“A further request is made for the subscriber to open a link and enter the five-digit code which is sent by the scammer.”

She added that while the fake messages varied, the “main concept is to get phone users to use the five-digit code”.

The fake messages tell users that their accounts need to be verified or that their phones have been hacked.

The police spokesman said it was “all part of a growing trend of phishing scams which are used to steal data such as passwords, as well credit card and banking information”.

Ms Burns said WhatsApp users who got suspicious messages should ignore them and not open any attachments or links.

She added people should block the sender and avoid any communication with unknown numbers.