Account Takeover Scams on Viber
Viber accounts are taken over through SIM-swap attacks, OTP theft, and device compromise, with hijacked accounts then used to send scam messages to the victim's contacts.
Part of: Account Takeover Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Viber account takeover is closely related to phone-number security. Because Viber accounts are registered to phone numbers and verified via SMS OTP, any method that gives an attacker access to the victim's SMS — SIM swap, malware, or OTP theft — can result in full Viber account compromise.
A compromised Viber account is a direct line to the victim's personal and professional contacts, enabling impersonation attacks that carry the full weight of an established trust relationship.
How this scam works on Viber
SIM-swap attacks convince a mobile carrier to transfer the victim's number to an attacker-controlled SIM. The attacker receives Viber's SMS verification code and registers a new Viber session, locking the original user out.
OTP theft occurs when the victim is tricked — often through a fake support call or phishing message — into reading out the Viber activation code they receive. This completes account registration on the attacker's device.
Once the account is taken over, the attacker reads previous conversations to understand relationship context and sends impersonation messages requesting urgent loans or payments from the victim's contacts.
Common red flags
- Unexpected Viber account deactivation or session expiry on your device
- Reports from contacts of unusual messages they received from your Viber account
- SMS OTP from Viber you did not request
- Viber contacts asking you to confirm you sent a message requesting money
- Mobile carrier notification of a SIM change you did not initiate
How to protect yourself
- Enable Viber's device deactivation feature and regularly review active sessions in settings
- Set a PIN with your mobile carrier to prevent unauthorised SIM changes
- Never share Viber OTPs with anyone who calls or messages you to request them
- Alert your Viber contacts through another channel immediately if you lose access to your account
- Recover your account by reinstalling Viber on your legitimate device and requesting a new OTP
How to report it
- Contact Viber Support through support.viber.com to report and recover a compromised account
- File a report with your mobile carrier and national telecommunications regulator for SIM-swap fraud
- Warn your contacts through email or another messaging platform so they are not scammed
Frequently asked questions
How do I recover a Viber account that was taken over?
Reinstall Viber on your device and use your own phone number to request a new OTP via SMS. If a SIM swap occurred, contact your mobile carrier first to restore your number before beginning account recovery.