How Did A Stranger Message Me on WhatsApp?

Do you use WhatsApp? If yes, then you’re not alone as around 2.7 billion people use WhatsApp every month in 2023 globally. It is one of the easiest, quickest, and globally accepted instant messaging, photo, or video-sharing platforms. The list of useful features of WhatsApp is increasing daily with the introduction of quick payments or WhatsApp business.

Although WhatsApp takes every necessary step to ensure user’s safety and data privacy, many users face the issue of strangers messaging them on WhatsApp.

Let us try to understand this issue in this write-up. We’ll find out the reasons for the same.

Also, we’ll try to find out how strangers get your number on WhatsApp and methods to stop receiving messages from unknown numbers on WhatsApp.

How did a stranger message me on WhatsApp?

Short Answer: A stranger messaged you on WhatsApp because WhatsApp doesn’t have strong privacy protection, meaning people can find your number in different ways. This might happen if you accidentally shared your number in a public place, in a group chat, or through mutual friends. The messages could be from fake profiles, marketers, or someone connected to your friends. It’s important to be cautious when this happens and protect your privacy settings.

How did a stranger get my number on WhatsApp?

If you’re looking for how a stranger can message you, it is important to know how can a stranger get your number on WhatsApp.

The possible ways in which a stranger may have obtained your number on WhatsApp are:

Method 1: WhatsApp groups

You may be a part of a WhatsApp group where you may not know all its participants. Hence, these strangers may take your number from WhatsApp groups and then message you directly on WhatsApp.

Method 2: Mutual friends

The chances are high that any stranger may have obtained your number from any of your friend’s contact lists. Hence, any of your mutual friends may have been trying to reach you on WhatsApp.

Method 3: Public platforms

Have you ever placed your WhatsApp number on any of the public platforms? If yes, then you may receive starting messages from strangers on WhatsApp who’ve taken your number from public forums.

Method 4: Wrong number

Last but not least, you may have received a message from a stranger as the wrong number only. A person may try to connect with another person but may end up messaging you on WhatsApp wrongly.

Learn if I block someone on WhatsApp, can I see their profile pic here?

How to stop getting messages from unknown numbers on WhatsApp?

Moving ahead in our exploration of stranger message me on WhatsApp, below are the ways to stop getting messages from unknown numbers on WhatsApp:

Method 1: Using the blocked contacts

WhatsApp offers a “Blocked Contact” feature which can be used to stop getting messages from unknown numbers. It blocks a particular number from contacting you on WhatsApp as it can’t send you updates, calls, messages, or statuses. The steps for the same are:

• Step 1: Open WhatsApp and select the “Chat” option.
• Step 2: Select the chat that you want to block.
• Step 3: Select the three dots located in the top-right corner of the screen.
• Step 4: Now select the “More” option from the menu that follows.
• Step 5: Select the “Block” option and tap on “Block” to confirm the action.

Method 2: Using privacy settings

The Privacy settings of WhatsApp ensure complete control to the users over who can see their status and who can message them. It offers three options “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” “My contacts except..,” and “Nobody.”

Hence, the steps to use privacy settings to stop receiving messages from unknown numbers are:

• Step 1: Open WhatsApp and go to the app’s settings.
• Step 2: Select the”Privacy” option.
• Step 3: You’ll see different options for Profile photo, About, Status, Read Receipts, Default message timer, Groups, and others.
• Step 4: You can select from the available options “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” “My contacts except..,” and “Nobody.”

Method 3: Third-party apps to block messages from strangers

Last but not least, you can take the help of the third-party apps to block messages from unknown numbers on WhatsApp.

All you need to do is go to the Google Play Store or App Store and search the messages blocking app. You can download these third-party applications to stop receiving messages from unknown numbers even on messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Know more about if I block someone on WhatsApp, can they see old messages?

SEE ALSO:

• Do You Get Notifications For Archived Messages On WhatsApp
• Does WhatsApp Show Missed Calls When Phone Is Off
• When You Delete A Message On WhatsApp Can Other Person See It
• If I Block Someone On Whatsapp Can I See Their Profile Pic

Final thoughts

Hope our readers are relieved after understanding the details about stranger message me on WhatsApp. There is no direct feature on WhatsApp to avoid receiving messages from strangers. Further, it is easy to understand the different channels through which a stranger may get your number.

The methods to stop getting messages from unknown numbers on WhatsApp include saving the number and then blocking it, using privacy settings, or third-party spam messages blocking apps.

Do let us know about your views on this guide highlighting this WhatsApp issue in this section!