WhatsApp Rolls Out Powerful New Feature to Protect Users from Scammers

TECH DESK: If you have ever received a message from an unknown number claiming to be an acquaintance, you are not alone—and WhatsApp is well aware of the growing threat.

In a major push to combat impersonation scams, the Meta-owned messaging giant has rolled out a groundbreaking security feature designed to intercept potential fraudsters before they can even initiate a conversation.

According to Wabetainfo, the new feature is currently being deployed to both Android and iOS users globally.

Unlike WhatsApp’s existing security protocols—which typically kick in after a chat has already begun—this new warning system acts as a pre-emptive shield. When an unknown number attempts to message a user, a warning screen will appear before the chat window is even opened. This crucial window gives users a moment to pause and assess the risk before interacting.

To help users make an informed decision on whether to engage or block the number, WhatsApp will display essential contextual details about the sender, including:

Registration Location: Where the phone number was originally registered (e.g., highlighting if it belongs to a foreign country).

Safety Verification: An assessment of whether the sender is safe to add as a contact.

Mutual Connections: Information on whether the user and the sender share any mutual WhatsApp groups.

Privacy Check: Crucially, the sender will not receive any notification or "read receipt" while the recipient evaluates these details on the warning screen.

Tacking the "New Number" Scam

The update specifically targets a highly common and deceptive tactics used by cyber-criminals. Typically, scammers send a casual message pretending to be a friend or family member, stating, "This is my new number." Because the opening line seems harmless, unsuspecting users often fall into the trap without a second thought.

By highlighting where the number is registered, WhatsApp aims to immediately expose bad actors—such as international scammers posing as local contacts. While Meta has not officially disclosed the exact algorithm that triggers the warning, industry experts believe that messages originating from foreign country codes will be a primary trigger for the system.