The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is looking into a significant increase in complaints about automated calls that prompt recipients to add the caller on WhatsApp. In September, the ICO received over 3,600 complaints, marking a five-year high and nearly tripling the number from July. These calls are suspected to be linked to recruitment scams, with the ICO estimating that millions may be affected.
The calls typically originate from UK mobile numbers and often mention part-time job offers. The ICO is collaborating with mobile companies and law enforcement to address the issue, while WhatsApp has measures in place to protect users from such scams. The UK government has also committed to eliminating call spoofing by November, indicating a broader effort to combat these fraudulent activities.