Meta rolls out new scam detection tools to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger | TechCrunch

Last day to exhibit your breakthrough to 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt is on Oct 2. Book Exhibit Table Now. Disrupt doors open Oct. 13. Get your pass and bring someone with you at 50% off. REGISTER NOW. Meta announced on Wednesday that it’s bringing more scam detection tools to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The tech giant says the new features are designed to alert users before they engage with something suspicious, noting that scammers try to avoid detection and may not immediately use accounts maliciously. The company is testing new alerts on Facebook to warn users about suspicious friend requests. When you send or receive a request from an account that shows signs of suspicious activity, such as having few mutual friends or listing a different country as its location, you’ll see an alert prompting you to review the request to help you decide whether to block or accept it. Over on WhatsApp, Meta is launching device-linking warnings to prevent scammers from trying to trick users into linking their WhatsApp account to their device. “For example, they may pose as a talent competition asking you to cast your vote by going to a website and entering your phone number, followed b