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Romy Khan
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Fraud cases through WhatsApp are increasing day by day. Fraudsters are sometimes using the identity of government officials, sometimes representatives of an organization, and sometimes acquaintances to trap WhatsApp users. To combat this risk of digital fraud, WhatsApp is introducing a new security feature to warn users before starting a conversation with strangers.
According to technology website WA Beta Info, the new feature will be launched for users on both Android and iOS platforms. Once the feature is launched, WhatsApp users will automatically see a warning message when they start a chat with a phone number they have never contacted before. The warning will tell you in which country the number is registered, whether it is saved in a known list or not, and whether there is any common group between the two parties. After looking at the information, the user can continue the conversation or decide not to start the chat. The other party will not be able to know any information about the warning.
The most important aspect of this new security feature of WhatsApp is that it will warn the user before the chat starts. Currently, most of WhatsApp's security measures are activated after a conversation has started. This new feature is changing that. Typically, scammers send messages from unknown numbers that do not seem suspicious at first glance. In many cases, they claim to be using a new number instead of an old one. Sometimes, they just want to start a conversation by trying to confirm their identity. When the user is trying to understand the situation, scammers look for an opportunity to gain trust. The new warning will give the user the opportunity to stop and check the matter at that moment. For example, if a number is registered in another country, it will be clearly mentioned in the warning message. This will make it easier to get an initial idea about the origin of the number.
Not all unknown numbers are involved in fraud. Even if someone you know starts using a new number, a similar warning will appear. WhatsApp has not yet released details about the circumstances under which the warning will be shown.
