Meta Introduces New Scam Detection Tools for Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger
Islamabad: Meta Platforms has announced the rollout of new scam detection tools across its platforms Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger to better protect users from online fraud.
The company said the new features will warn users about suspicious activities before scammers can cause harm, noting that many scammers initially operate quietly before attempting to defraud victims.
New Alerts on Facebook
Meta is testing new alerts for friend requests on Facebook. If an account shows signs of suspicious behavior—such as having very few mutual friends or being located in a different country—users will receive a warning, allowing them to decide whether to accept or block the request.
Device Linking Alerts on WhatsApp
On WhatsApp, Meta has introduced device-linking alerts to prevent scammers from linking users’ accounts to unauthorized devices.
According to Meta’s blog post, scammers sometimes trick people by claiming they are part of a talent competition or fake voting campaign and ask for phone numbers or device-linking codes. They may also attempt to get users to scan fraudulent QR codes. The new alerts will notify users about such suspicious linking attempts.
Advanced Scam Detection on Messenger
Meta is also expanding its advanced scam detection tool for Messenger to more countries this month. The system will analyze chat patterns from new contacts—such as suspicious job offers—and warn users about potential scams. It may also ask users to share messages for review. If a scam is confirmed, users will be advised to block or report the account.
Meta’s Anti-Scam Efforts
Meta said that last year it removed more than 159 million scam-related advertisements, with 92 percent taken down proactively before being reported.
The company also shut down 10.9 million accounts on Facebook and Instagram that were linked to criminal scam centers.
Meta said these measures are part of its broader efforts to strengthen user safety and reduce online scams across its platforms.
