Fake WhatsApp Business Verification Badge Scam
Scammers offer paid 'WhatsApp Verified Business' green-tick badge services to small businesses, either harvesting payment details or the business's WhatsApp account credentials.
Part of: Verification Badge Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
WhatsApp Business accounts can display a green verified checkmark if the business account is officially verified by Meta. This verification is granted to notable brands through Meta's own processes and is not available for a fee from third parties.
Small business owners who use WhatsApp Business to communicate with customers are increasingly aware of the trust advantage that the green tick conveys. Scammers exploit this awareness by advertising verification services on social media, in local business directories, and via WhatsApp messages from accounts that already display the green tick.
The green-tick scam is designed to extract either a payment for a service that does not exist or the WhatsApp Business account credentials that allow the attacker to impersonate the legitimate business with all its existing customer relationships.
How this scam works on the WhatsApp brand
A small business owner receives a WhatsApp message from an account with a green verified tick — which itself may have been hijacked from a real business. The message claims to be from 'WhatsApp Business Partnerships' and states that the owner's business qualifies for official verification. A link leads to a form requesting the business's WhatsApp number, business registration details, and a fee payable via card or bank transfer.
After payment, the service provider vanishes or claims the application is 'under review' indefinitely. In a more aggressive version, the form also requests the six-digit WhatsApp registration code to 'complete the verification process,' enabling a full account hijack.
Search engines and social media return third-party 'WhatsApp verification agencies' as organic results, adding an appearance of legitimacy.
Common red flags
- WhatsApp green-tick verification is not available for a fee from any third party.
- Any message offering WhatsApp Business verification as a paid service is a scam, even if the sender has a green tick.
- The WhatsApp registration code should never be shared with any third party, including supposed verification services.
- Official WhatsApp Business verification information is only available at business.whatsapp.com.
- The 'verification agency' cannot provide a verifiable contact address within Meta's own corporate communications.
- Payment is requested via bank transfer, PayPal, or gift card rather than through a Meta invoicing portal.
How to protect yourself
- Seek genuine WhatsApp Business verification information only at business.whatsapp.com/products/business-api — this is for larger businesses with API access.
- Enable Two-Step Verification on your WhatsApp Business account via Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification.
- Never share your six-digit SMS registration code with any individual or service claiming to facilitate WhatsApp verification.
- If you shared account credentials, re-register your WhatsApp number on your own device to log out the attacker.
- Report the scam account to WhatsApp via the in-app report function.
How to report it
- Report the fraudulent WhatsApp account in the app: open the conversation > tap the name > Report.
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- UK users: report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
- File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/scamtracker if a company was involved.
Frequently asked questions
How does a genuine business get the WhatsApp green verified tick?
WhatsApp's green tick is currently available primarily to businesses using the WhatsApp Business API through an official Business Solution Provider. It is not available for a fee to all businesses and is not sold by third-party agencies.
My WhatsApp Business account was hijacked — what do I tell my customers?
Inform customers via an alternative channel (email, Instagram, or your website) immediately. Advise them to ignore any messages from your WhatsApp number until you confirm you have regained control, as the hijacker will likely impersonate you to solicit payments.
Is a WhatsApp Business account safer than a personal account?
WhatsApp Business and personal accounts have the same security features. The key protection is Two-Step Verification (Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification), which should be enabled on both types of account.