We’ve all received those suspicious messages – the ones from a random number offering a part-time job or inviting you to a group chat you didn’t ask to join. Well, the good news is, WhatsApp is fighting back. The platform just launched new tools and tips to help us all stay safer and smarter when it comes to messaging scams.
WhatsApp recently took down over 6.8 million accounts linked to massive, organized scam centers, mainly in Southeast Asia. These criminals are using some seriously clever tactics, often bouncing people between different apps like TikTok, Telegram, and even AI tools like ChatGPT to avoid getting caught.
Here’s a look at the new tools WhatsApp is rolling out:
For Group Chats: Ever get added to a random group chat and feel instantly uneasy? Now, if someone not in your contacts adds you, you’ll get a new “safety overview” screen. This screen gives you details about the group and lets you leave without ever having to peek at the messages. Plus, notifications will be muted by default until you decide to stay.
- For One-on-One Chats: Scammers often start a conversation on a dating app or text message and then ask you to move to WhatsApp. To combat this, WhatsApp is exploring new ways to give you a heads-up when you’re about to chat with a number you don’t know, helping you decide if it’s safe to proceed.
Simple Tips to Stay Safe from Scams
Even with these new tools, we all need to stay sharp. Cyber safety expert Rachel Tobac has a great, simple mantra to remember: Pause, Question, and Verify.
- PAUSE: Don’t respond right away. Take a moment to think if you know the number or if the message seems a little off.
- QUESTION: Does the request make sense? Is it too good to be true? Are they rushing you to send money or an account PIN? These are all major red flags.
- VERIFY: If they claim to be a friend or family member, contact them on a different channel you know is real. For example, if they message you on WhatsApp, give them a call on their normal phone number.
These updates and tips are a solid step forward in keeping us all safer online. It’s a great reminder to always be a little skeptical and use the tools available to protect ourselves and our data
