Which? is warning consumers about a screen-sharing scam where fraudsters impersonate banks and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to gain access to bank accounts and steal sensitive information. This type of fraud, also known as screen-mirroring fraud, often starts with an unexpected phone call claiming an account is at risk.
Scammers may then try to move the conversation to a video call on platforms such as WhatsApp or FaceTime, where they encourage victims to share their screen. If screen-sharing is enabled, fraudsters can see nearly everything on the phone, including notifications for one-time passwords (OTPs) used to authorise payments.
In some cases, scammers may convince individuals to give up full control of their device using remote-access tools like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or Zoho Assist. One reported incident involved two men claiming to be FCA inspectors who contacted a victim on WhatsApp, leading to the theft of over £27,000, including purchases for six iPhones and iPads, over three days.
WhatsApp introduced its screen-sharing feature in 2023. Meta has since implemented measures, including warnings when users attempt to share their screen with unknown contacts during a WhatsApp video call. The platform also blurs images from unknown contacts by default and allows users to silence calls from unknown numbers.