WhatsApp has built-in tools to help you spot and stop scammers

WhatsApp already has several tools that can help you spot and stop scammers, and most of them are easy to use. A safety guide from The Times of India, published October 24, 2026, walks through them. The short version: limit who can reach you, lock your account with a PIN, and pause before answering any message that asks for money or codes.

Why scammers use WhatsApp

WhatsApp has billions of users worldwide, which makes it an easy place for fraudsters to find victims. They often pretend to be a family member, a friend, a business, a bank, a government official or customer support. They may rush you, ask for money, request a verification code or send a suspicious link to steal your personal data.

Tools that screen strangers

When a message arrives from a number you do not know, WhatsApp shows a safety notice. It gives quick options to block the sender, report them or learn more before you reply. Blocking stops that person from calling or messaging you. Reporting flags the account to WhatsApp, which helps the company find and remove accounts used for spam or fraud.

• Silence Unknown Callers: calls from numbers not in your contacts do not ring, but still show in your call log.
• Privacy settings: choose who can see your profile photo, last seen, online status, About info and status updates.
• Fewer visible details mean fewer facts a scammer can use to seem believable.

Tools that protect your account

Two-step verification adds a six-digit PIN. It is required when you register your phone number on a new device. If a scammer tricks you into handing over the text message code, they still cannot take over your account without the PIN.

All personal messages and calls are protected by end-to-end encryption. That means only the sender and the recipient can read or hear them, not even WhatsApp. It does not stop a scammer who messages you directly. Each encrypted chat also has a unique security code you can compare with your contact to confirm the chat is secure.

Red flags to watch for

• Requests for money, gift cards or bank transfers.
• A message saying a friend or relative changed numbers and urgently needs help.
• Unexpected links or attachments.
• Requests for passwords, one-time codes or verification codes.
• Pressure to act now or face consequences.

What to do

The tools work best alongside careful habits. If an unexpected message arrives, check with the sender through another trusted channel, such as a call to a number you already have. Do not share sensitive information. Block and report anything suspicious. These steps matter for your own money and accounts, and also for relatives and employees who may get the same fake message.