Meta Introduces New Scam Detection Features to Protect Older Users
Meta has launched new scam detection tools on WhatsApp and Messenger aimed at safeguarding older users, a demographic that has been increasingly targeted by online fraudsters. This initiative comes in response to concerning statistics from the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, which revealed that individuals aged 60 and above reported the highest number of complaints and suffered the most significant financial losses due to scams, totaling nearly $5 billion.
On WhatsApp, the company has introduced warnings that alert users when attempting to share their screen during video calls with unknown contacts, highlighting the risks of exposing sensitive information. In Messenger, Meta is testing advanced scam detection features that notify users when a new contact sends a potentially suspicious message. Users are then offered the option to submit recent chat messages for AI-based review. If a scam is detected, the system provides information on common scams and suggests actions such as blocking or reporting the suspicious account.
In addition to these technical measures, Meta has shared guidance to help users recognize and avoid prevalent scams targeting older adults. These include fraudulent offers for home remodeling services and debt relief, fake money recovery services impersonating government agencies, and counterfeit customer service accounts posing as representatives of airlines, banks, and other companies.
Meta is also collaborating with the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC), a nonprofit organization that unites law enforcement agencies and companies like AARP, Amazon, and Google to combat fraud targeting older adults. Through this partnership, Meta aims to share resources and support investigations into large-scale fraud operations.
