On Tuesday, Meta unveiled a suite of new scam-detection features for its messaging platforms, WhatsApp and Messenger, as part of its ongoing commitment to combat online scams that disproportionately affect older adults. The enhancements include warnings in WhatsApp when users attempt to share their screens during calls, as well as the ability to flag potential scam messages in Messenger, which can then be reviewed by AI.
Proactive Measures Against Scams
In the first half of 2025, Meta reported successfully identifying and disrupting approximately 8 million accounts involved in scam activities, including those linked to scam centers in regions such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. Additionally, the company took action against over 21,000 Facebook Pages and accounts impersonating customer support services, which aimed to deceive users into divulging personal information.
This issue has become so widespread that many Page operators have learned to disregard messages claiming to be from customer support. Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults across various sectors, from social media and messaging apps to dating platforms and cryptocurrency schemes.
On WhatsApp, the newly implemented warning will activate when users attempt to share their screens with unknown contacts during video calls. This tactic is frequently exploited by scammers to extract sensitive information, such as bank details and verification codes.
Meanwhile, Messenger is undergoing trials of advanced scam-detection techniques that assess the legitimacy of incoming messages. If a message is flagged as suspicious, users will receive a warning indicating potential financial risk, advising them to exercise caution.
The warning screen will also outline common scam tactics, including those related to work-from-home opportunities or promises of easy money, and will provide options to block or report the suspicious account.
Scams targeting older adults can have far-reaching consequences, often involving family members who must intervene, which can lead to feelings of embarrassment for the victim or a stubborn belief in the legitimacy of the scam. Scammers frequently employ social engineering techniques or romantic overtures to ensnare individuals who may lack online savvy or are experiencing cognitive decline, preying on their loneliness and desire for connection.
Critics argue that Meta should have taken more proactive steps to address these issues sooner, especially given the relative ease of integrating user alerts into their applications. While the company has stated that it has implemented various context cards, reminders, and warnings regarding shipping scams and instant payments, these measures have not been specifically tailored to protect the elderly.
In a positive development, Meta has announced its collaboration with the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, a newly established nonprofit that unites law enforcement and major corporations, including AARP, Amazon, Capital One, Google, Microsoft, and Walmart, to tackle fraud targeting older adults.
