WhatsApp is rolling out new tools to protect users from scams. The update follows Meta’s report that over 6.8 million scam-linked accounts were banned in early 2025.
Scammers use multiple platforms, like SMS, ChatGPT, TikTok, Telegram, and crypto apps, to trick people. These scams usually start with a message offering easy money or fake investments. Victims are then moved across apps to hide the scam’s full scope.
One disrupted campaign involved scammers using ChatGPT to send messages that led users to WhatsApp and Telegram. Victims were asked to like TikTok videos and later deposit money into crypto accounts.
To fight back, WhatsApp is launching two new safety tools:
- Group Safety Overview: When added to unfamiliar groups, users will see key info and can leave quietly.
- Chat Warnings: WhatsApp is testing alerts when users message unknown contacts, helping them pause and think before replying.
To avoid being scammed, the platform offers these simple safety tips: pause before replying, question suspicious offers, and verify identities through other channels.
These updates are part of WhatsApp’s broader efforts to stop scams, especially in Southeast Asia.
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