WhatsApp launches tool to identify unusual contacts and prevent scams in initiated messages
WhatsApp has implemented a new security feature for its users, aiming to protect interactions. This functionality inserts a ten-second delay in communicating with new contacts, a crucial period to verify the origin of the number and avoid potential risks such as spam or fraud attempts.
With the implementation, users will receive an alert before proceeding with sending messages to numbers that have never been previously contacted. This mechanism seeks to obtain the sender’s consent, ensuring an extra stage of analysis before any interaction.
This warning, as reported by specialized technology websites, informs the geographic origin of the phone and whether there are groups in common with the user. This brief pause is precisely what scammers try to avoid, as it hinders the speed of their actions, giving the victim time to assess the situation. The added value here is the intentional pause that disrupts the criminals’ urgency tactic, a tactic that many other platforms have yet to effectively neutralize.
The new feature is gradually being released for the latest versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS devices. However, it is important to note that the feature is still in the ongoing development phase and may not be available for all devices immediately.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, incorporated this function into its messaging platform. The purpose is solely to verify the legitimacy of the contact before starting a chat, without any relation to the device linking feature. In August 2025, the company had already announced the search for new measures to combat scams, and the implementation of this system began to materialize almost a year later.
Reasons behind the arrival of the new security tool
WhatsApp has become a fertile ground for the proliferation of scams. Scammers often exploit many people’s lack of caution. Messages sent from unknown numbers rarely generate suspicion initially, but starting a conversation without due precautions can result in the exposure of personal and financial data.
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With the latest platform update, an initial check is performed before text communication is allowed. This process checks the contacts saved on the user’s device. If the number is unknown or from another country, an alert notification is immediately displayed on the screen. In this same interface, the user has the option to “Continue” or “Cancel”.
In this way, WhatsApp intends to prevent users from starting conversations without first being warned about possible risks. Scammers usually act hastily, leaving no time for reflection. Therefore, Meta considers this tool to be a fair mechanism for people to think better about who they are communicating with, especially if they are not usual contacts.
Guidance on how to proceed when receiving the alert on WhatsApp
- If the WhatsApp warning appears, it’s crucial to pause to read the details carefully before responding.
- A different country code in the number already serves as an indication to stop and check the information, according to experts.
- If you know the person, it is best to get in touch by another means, such as calling an already saved phone number.
- Asking a mutual contact about the person or situation can also be an effective security measure.
- If any aspect of the conversation seems strange or suspicious, the best option is to simply end the chat, protecting your personal information.
It is important to note that the security system is not completely infallible. If, for example, a scammer is already saved in your contact list for some reason, the alert will not be triggered. The functionality offers an additional layer of protection, but does not guarantee complete protection against all fraud attempts.
