WhatsApp prepares alert against scams involving messages from unknown senders.

O WhatsApp prepares a new security feature called Scam Alert (A free translation of "Scam Alert"), created to warn when a message sent by an unknown person appears to be a fraud attempt. The tool is still under development, was found in beta version 2.26.22.2 of the Android app, and should work with analysis done on the phone itself, without sending the content of the conversations to servers. Meta.

How Scam Alert should work

According to BetaInfo, Scam Alert It will be triggered on messages received from contacts that are not saved in the address book. When the system identifies signs of fraud, the WhatsApp It will display a warning within the conversation itself with the message "This may be a scam".

In the leaked screen, the user receives two main actions: block and report the contact or trusting the conversation To continue the chat normally. In other words, WhatsApp should not end the conversation on its own or make an automatic decision on behalf of the person. The idea is to offer context before the user replies, clicks on links, sends personal data, or makes payments.

The detail is important because scams by WhatsApp They often begin with seemingly common approaches: fake promotions, order tracking links, requests for money, job offers, code confirmations, fake bank support, or messages impersonating relatives. To understand other forms of digital fraud, see also our guide on... The most common internet scams and how to protect yourself..

Mobile analytics preserves encryption.

According to information discovered in the beta, the analysis of Scam Alert must happen locally on the deviceThis means that the app would assess risk signals without sending the content of the messages to the user. WhatsApp or for Meta.

The official page itself WhatsApp security It states that the platform uses layers of protection against spam, suspicious accounts, and hacking attempts, while also keeping personal messages protected by... end-to-end encryption.

Basically, end-to-end encryption means that only the sender and recipient have access to the content of the conversation. If the Scam Alert While it may only operate on the device, the feature can add a layer of anti-fraud alerts without transforming the system. WhatsApp in a centralized message reader.

This feature will be optional and will be disabled by default.

Another point revealed by BetaInfo is that the Scam Alert shall be Optional It comes disabled by default. Anyone who wants to use the protection will need to manually activate it in the app's settings when it becomes available.

The screens also indicate a local reporting area, called "Scam Alert activity." This log would show when the feature was activated and if any suspicious activity was detected during a given period. According to the discovery, these reports would be stored only on the device and would not be shared with the user. WhatsApp.

There is also no indication that the sender will be notified when a message is reviewed or marked as suspicious.

When will it arrive on WhatsApp?

There is no official release date yet. For now, the Scam Alert It is under development and It wasn't even released to beta testers.The trend is that, if the Meta If you decide to proceed with the tool, it will appear first to users of the beta program. Android before reaching the stable version of the application.

There is also no confirmation about iPhoneBrazil or other markets. As this is a feature under development, the name, screens, behavior, and availability may still change before the public release.

What to do while waiting for the alert to arrive

Even without Scam Alert, the WhatsApp It already allows you to block and report suspicious contacts. WhatsApp Help Center It advises users to block unknown individuals, companies, or numbers and to report them when they receive abusive, unwanted, or suspicious messages.

• Be wary of urgent messages, prizes, job openings, or discounts that seem too good to be true;
• Do not share verification codes received via SMS or notification;
• Avoid clicking on shortened links or links sent by strangers;
• Confirm money requests by phone call or other channel before transferring funds;
• Use account protection features, such as two-step verification and access key on WhatsApp.

If you've already interacted with a suspicious contact, it's worth blocking the number, reporting the conversation, and reviewing your account security. showmetech also explains What happens after reporting a contact on WhatsApp? It is like Recover your WhatsApp account and increase security. in case of break-in or attempted robbery.

And you? Do you feel safer knowing that the WhatsApp is Are you preparing an alert against scams involving messages from strangers? Tell us in the comments!

See also:

Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 03 / 06 / 2026.

Sources: BetaInfo, WhatsApp Security, WhatsApp Help Center e Canaltech.