Meta highlights tools to help older adults in southern New Mexico avoid online scams
Meta is rolling out new scam-warning tools on Messenger and WhatsApp as older adults in New Mexico and nationwide face rising losses from online fraud, federal data show.
Company’s new features aim to flag suspicious messages and prevent screen-share fraud as older Americans lose billions each year to online scams
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - After older Americans lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024, Meta says it’s rolling out new safety tools to help users — particularly older adults — spot fraud before it starts.
Daniel Roberts, public affairs lead for Meta, said in an interview with Organ Mountain News that the company has “disrupted and detected over 8 million accounts associated with criminal scam centers” so far this year, targeting users worldwide through messaging apps, dating platforms, cryptocurrency schemes and other online channels.
Two new features are being tested this fall: an AI-driven scam warning on Messenger and a screen-share alert on WhatsApp.
“When a new contact sends a message that appears scammy, we’ll present a warning label,” Roberts said. “It gives users the option to send those messages for AI scam review.”
The WhatsApp warning, meanwhile, flags potential risk when users attempt to share their screen with an unknown contact during a video call — a common ploy used by scammers to gain access to bank or login information.
Meta is also joining the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, a nonprofit coalition that works across industries to identify trends and share strategies for preventing large-scale scams.
“We partner with organizations to understand what’s happening in specific communities and how best to communicate ways to prevent it,” Roberts said. “Criminals often try to create a sense of urgency — to make people feel like they have to act now.”
According to the FBI’s 2024 Elder Fraud Report, Americans 60 and older reported $4.8 billion in losses last year, up from $3.4 billion in 2023. In New Mexico, older residents lost $17.8 million across 759 victims — a sharp increase from prior years.
Roberts said older users can protect themselves by taking three simple steps:
- Be cautious with unsolicited messages or calls.
- Pause and check with someone you trust before responding.
- Use official customer-service channels to verify who you’re talking to.
“If something feels off, don’t respond,” he told Organ Mountain News. “Talk to a friend, then report it through our help center.”
He added that vigilance remains essential.
“The online scamming industry is active every single day,” Roberts said. “If something seems abnormal, stop and ask someone before you act.”
Meta’s scam-prevention tools and privacy checkups are available through the company’s online help centers for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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