MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, United States — WhatsApp is rolling out a new security feature aimed at helping users identify potentially suspicious contacts before opening conversations, as the Meta-owned messaging platform intensifies efforts to combat scams and impersonation attempts.
The update, which is being introduced on both Android and iOS devices, displays a warning screen whenever a user attempts to start or open a chat with a phone number that is not saved in their contacts.
The feature is designed to provide users with more information about unfamiliar contacts before they engage in a conversation, helping them make informed decisions and reducing the risk of fraud.
According to technology tracking platform WABetaInfo, the new warning screen appears before a conversation is opened, offering key details about the unknown contact and encouraging users to assess whether the interaction appears legitimate.
The development forms part of WhatsApp’s broader strategy to strengthen user safety amid growing concerns over online scams, account takeovers and identity impersonation.
Cybercriminals increasingly rely on social engineering tactics rather than technical hacking methods, often convincing users to share verification codes or approve requests that grant unauthorized access to their WhatsApp accounts.
The latest feature seeks to interrupt that process before scammers can exploit unsuspecting users.
“A security feature on WhatsApp for iOS and Android makes it harder for scammers to trick people into giving away access. Scammers don’t need your password, as they just need you to enter a code yourself or confirm something. WhatsApp steps in right before that code grants them access,” WABetaInfo said.
Under the new system, WhatsApp will provide additional context about unknown contacts before a chat is opened.
The warning screen may display:
- The sender’s phone number and country code
- Whether the user shares mutual groups with the contact
- Options to block or report the number immediately
- Additional indicators designed to help assess the authenticity of the contact
The information is intended to help users quickly determine whether a message is likely to be genuine or potentially fraudulent.
If the contact appears suspicious, users can block or report the account directly from the warning screen without opening the conversation.
Previously, some WhatsApp security alerts only became visible after a user had already opened a conversation.
By moving the warning process to an earlier stage, WhatsApp hopes to give users more time to evaluate unfamiliar contacts and avoid interactions that could expose them to scams.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that fraudsters frequently impersonate friends, family members, businesses and government agencies to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or authorising access to their accounts.
Also Read: WhatsApp to introduce usernames, allowing chat without phone numbers
The new feature is expected to provide an additional layer of protection against such tactics.
The rollout follows a series of recent WhatsApp security improvements, including advanced privacy controls, account verification protections, chat lock features and enhanced reporting tools.
The company says it remains focused on strengthening user safety while maintaining the platform’s end-to-end encryption framework.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently being rolled out gradually and may take time to become available to all users globally.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, WhatsApp’s latest update underscores the growing emphasis technology companies are placing on proactive security measures designed to prevent fraud before it occurs.
