Meta has announced a suite of new security features aimed at helping users more effectively recognize and avoid online scams. These enhanced tools come at a crucial time, as scammers continuously evolve their tactics in response to users becoming more savvy about common fraud schemes.
New WhatsApp Security Warning
Meta revealed that WhatsApp will now display a security warning whenever a user is asked to share their screen with an unknown contact. This feature targets a prevalent scam where victims are led to believe there is an issue with their device or financial institution. Scammers offer to share the user’s screen to diagnose and “fix” the fabricated problem. However, once screen sharing is enabled, scammers can see sensitive information such as passwords and financial details in real-time.
Recognizing that older adults are frequent targets of such scams, Meta is partnering with the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC), a non-profit organization that unites law enforcement and major companies including AARP, Amazon, Capital One, Google, Microsoft, and Walmart to fight fraud targeting older populations.
Enhanced Scam Detection in Messenger
Meta is also strengthening scam detection on Messenger, although this feature is still in the testing phase and not yet widely available. Messenger scams are particularly deceptive because scammers often create fake profiles that appear legitimate by sending many friend requests. When a user accepts, subsequent requests to their social circle show mutual friends, increasing the scammer’s credibility. Once connected, the scammer sends fraudulent messages.
Future Messenger updates will include AI-powered detection to identify suspicious messages and prompt users to submit them for further review. Common scams include fake job offers, cryptocurrency schemes, and enticing remote work opportunities—scams that are also prevalent over SMS.
Meta’s Ongoing Fight Against Scams
Highlighting the scale of the problem, Meta revealed that in the first half of 2025 alone, it disrupted around 8 million scam-related accounts linked to scam centers in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. Additionally, the company removed over 21,000 Facebook Pages that impersonated legitimate customer support channels of real companies.
