Meta has announced new tools designed to help protect users on Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp from online scams.
The company says these features will alert people about suspicious activity before they interact with it, giving them a chance to avoid potential fraud.
One of the key updates focuses on WhatsApp. Users will now receive warnings when the system detects unusual behavior related to device linking requests. This feature is meant to stop scammers from connecting another device to a victim’s WhatsApp account. When a suspicious request appears, the alert will show where the request is coming from so users can decide whether to continue or cancel the action.
Meta explained that scammers often try to trick people into sharing their phone numbers or linking codes. For example, they might pretend to run an online talent competition and ask users to vote by entering their phone number on a website. After that, the victim may be asked to provide a device linking code from WhatsApp, which allows the scammer to connect their own device to the account. In other cases, scammers may ask people to scan a QR code for false reasons, which can also link the attacker’s device.
Facebook is also testing a similar warning system for suspicious friend requests. If a user sends or receives a friend request from an account that shows signs of unusual activity, the platform may display an alert. These signals can include things like very few mutual friends or accounts that appear to be located in a different country.
The goal of these alerts is to help users think twice before accepting or interacting with accounts that might be involved in scams. Meta says scammers often try to avoid detection and may not immediately use hacked or fake accounts for harmful actions. By warning users earlier, the company hopes people will be able to recognize potential threats and protect their accounts more easily.
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