On March 11, 2026, Meta announced new anti-scam tools for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger. The company said online scammers are becoming more skilled, so it is using more AI and new safety checks to stop scams earlier. (about.fb.com)
One important change is a stronger check for advertisers. Meta said some advertisers already have to verify who they are, especially in higher-risk cases. Now the company plans to expand this system so verified advertisers will account for 90% of its ad revenue by the end of 2026. Right now, that number is about 70%. Meta says this check can make it harder for scammers to pretend to be real people or real businesses. (about.fb.com)
Meta is also using AI to study text, images, and the wider context around ads and accounts. This can help catch “celeb-bait” scams, where criminals use the face or name of a famous person, and fake links that send people to websites that look real but are not. In 2025, Meta says it removed more than 159 million scam ads around the world, and 92% were taken down before users reported them. (about.fb.com)
The new tools are not only about ads. On WhatsApp, users will see a warning if a request to connect their account to another device looks suspicious. On Facebook, some users will get alerts about suspicious friend requests. On Messenger, Meta is expanding a tool that warns people about common scams, such as fake job offers, and suggests blocking or reporting the account. (about.fb.com)
This news is a good reminder for English learners and for everyone online: pause before you click. A famous face, a big sale, or a friendly message may still be fake. Meta’s new checks may reduce scam ads, but careful users are still very important. (about.fb.com)










