whatsApp is introducing new features to help people spot scams on the messaging service, the company announced on Tuesday. The company also said it has taken down over 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts linked to criminal scam centers targeting people around the world.
New Features to Detect Scams in Group and Individual Chats
The new features are designed to help detect scams in both group and individual chats on the Meta-owned platform. In group chats, WhatsApp is introducing a Safety Overview feature that appears when someone who isn’t in your contact list adds you to a group you may not recognize. This overview will present essential information about the group, along with guidance on how to stay safe while interacting.
For instance, users will be able to see whether the person who added them is a known contact, and whether any current group members are saved in their contact list. If the group seems familiar, users can opt to view the chat for additional context. Regardless of the decision, WhatsApp will mute notifications from that group until the user explicitly marks their intention to remain in it.
Scam Protection in One-on-One Chats
As for individual chats, WhatsApp notes that scammers might try to start conversations with you elsewhere on the internet before asking to message on private messaging services like WhatsApp. To protect against this tactic, the app is testing new ways to alert people before they start talking to someone who could be trying to scam them.
For example, it’s working to caution users when they start a chat with someone not in their contacts by showing them additional context about who they’re messaging.
Collaboration with OpenAI to Disrupt Scam Networks
WhatsApp also shared information about how it worked alongside OpenAI to disrupt scam efforts that were traced back to a scam center in Cambodia. “These attempts ranged from offering payments for fake likes to enlisting others into a rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme, or luring people to invest in cryptocurrency,” WhatsApp explained in a blog post. “As OpenAI reported, the scammers used ChatGPT to generate the initial text message containing a link to a WhatsApp chat, and then quickly directed the target to Telegram, where they were assigned a task of liking videos on TikTok. The scammers attempted to build trust in their scheme by sharing how much the target has already ‘earned’ in theory, before asking them to deposit money into a crypto account as the next task.”
WhatsApp’s Advice to Stay Safe from Scams
WhatsApp says users can protect themselves from scams by taking time before responding to think about whether the message reads like a legitimate task. They should then question if the request makes sense and if they’re rushing you into taking action. If they’re claiming to be a friend or family member, you should use another method of communication to verify their identity.
The Bottom Line
WhatsApp has introduced enhanced security features to identify scams in both group and individual chats, while removing over 6.8 million fraudulent accounts. New alerts and group safety overviews aim to provide users with greater context before engaging in unfamiliar conversations. In partnership with OpenAI, WhatsApp continues to disrupt global scam networks and encourages users to verify messages before taking action.
