Receive messages and calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp This has become a common occurrence for millions of users. Although it should be exceptional, it's becoming more and more common for outsiders, unknown companies, bots, or even potential scammers to try to contact you unexpectedly. This invasion of privacy is not only annoying: It can also pose risks to the security of your data, your well-being, and your digital environment..
Although at the moment WhatsApp does not have a native function that absolutely prevent receiving messages from unknown numbersYes, you can take advanced measures to protect yourself, blocking, muting, and enhancing your privacy in various ways. There are also constantly evolving options within the app and important new features you should be aware of.
In this article we explain How to configure WhatsApp so that unknown numbers don't text or call you., what security settings you should adjust, how to protect yourself from scams and fraud, and best practices for keeping your experience free from unwanted visitors. Everything detailed step by step, including the latest available updates.
Why am I receiving messages from unknown numbers on WhatsApp?
Before taking action, it is important to understand How they got your WhatsApp number and why they contacted you People or companies you don't know. The main reasons are:
- Your number leaks on the Internet: If you've ever posted your phone number on a social media site, shopping website, ad, public form, blog, or similar, it's likely someone has collected it for marketing, spam, or even fraudulent purposes.
- Collection from WhatsApp groups: Other users can see your number when you join a group and, if they have bad intentions, start sending you messages without your permission.
- Automated spam (bots or programs): Many companies and cybercriminals use programs and chatbots to send mass messages seeking to attract customers or launch scams.
- Diffusion by other acquaintances: Sometimes, someone close to you shares your number with someone else without consulting you or without a justified reason.
- Loss of control due to theft or loss: If you lose your phone and don't take security measures, a third party could use your number or those of your contacts to commit fraudulent acts or steal your identity.
- Human errors: It could be a mistake, for example, a contact who changed their phone number, a person who had your old number, or someone who confused your number with someone else's.
While most messages from strangers come from spam, marketing campaigns, or bots, There are also real risks of scams, identity theft and harassment.. Therefore, it's essential to identify the source and protect your privacy from the very beginning.
Main types of unwanted messages and calls on WhatsApp: know the risks
When analyzing the most common cases of unregistered numbers reaching WhatsApp, you may encounter:
- Unsolicited commercial offers: Aggressive advertising, false promotions or non-existent contests.
- Fraud and phishing attempts: Messages that pretend to be from banks, technical support, or well-known companies and seek to obtain confidential information, access accounts, or install malware.
- Suspicious requests: People who claim to be acquaintances, family members, or friends, but who you cannot identify, often accompanied by alarming or urgent messages seeking information or money.
- Verification code scams: They ask the victim for a code received via WhatsApp, claiming it was sent by mistake. If provided, they can hijack the account and use it to trick your contacts.
- Invitations to unknown groups: Anyone with your number can add you to groups and access your number and personal information without your prior consent.
- Harassment or identity theftIn some cases, the intentions can be clearly malicious, with offensive messages, threats, or impersonating someone close.
For all these reasons, it is key to know the privacy tools and functions that WhatsApp offers you to control who can contact you, limit the visibility of your data, and effectively block any unwanted contact attempts.
How to block WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers
The most effective way to stop an unknown number from bothering you again is to block it directly. By doing so, That person will not be able to send you new messages, see your information, or call you. Through the app. WhatsApp makes this procedure very easy to perform, and there are several ways to do so, both from the chat window and from the privacy section:
- When you receive a message from an unknown number, open the conversation. Options usually appear at the top. Add o Block.
- Press on Block. Two options will appear: “Block and report” (ideal if you think it's spam or fraud) and "To block" (to prevent future communications).
- Depending on your operating system and settings, WhatsApp may ask you for a blocking reason: Spam, I no longer need it, Offensive messages, I will not register or Other reason.
- If you select reportarWhatsApp will delete the chat and analyze the last 5 messages sent by that number for violations, without notifying the sender.
More details on reporting and blocking contacts
You can also block numbers manually from the privacy settings If you have already received any messages:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the three-dot menu (top right).
- Go to Settings, after Account and access the section Privacy .
- Choose Blocked contacts. Here you can add any number, even if it's not in your address book.
- To unblock a contact, repeat the process and select the number you want to remove from the blocked list.
The blockade is indefinite and reversible.: The blocked contact won't receive a direct notification; they'll simply stop being able to interact with you unless you unblock them.
Keep in mind that if the same person uses multiple numbers, you'll need to block each one individually. If you experience repeated harassment, you can gather evidence and report the situation to the authorities or WhatsApp support.
How to mute and archive messages from strangers without blocking them
If you prefer not to immediately block an unknown number (for example, if you have doubts about its identity) but do not want to receive notifications or view messages, you can mute the conversation and archive the chatThis way, you won't receive any visual or audible alerts, and the chat won't appear on your WhatsApp home screen.
To mute and archive a chat:
- In your chat list, long press on the conversation with the stranger.
- At the top, select the crossed-out speaker icon to mute notifications.
- When it asks you how long to mute, choose the option "Forever" to keep it indefinitely.
- Then, press the icon archive to move the conversation out of your main inbox.
This option is useful if you're not sure who the sender is, but don't want to be bothered while you decide whether to block them. Keep in mind that, although the messages will arrive, You will not receive notifications unless you undo archiving..
How to avoid receiving calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp
WhatsApp has incorporated a specific function to protect you from calls from unknown numbersWith this option, you can have any call from a sender not registered in your address book automatically silenced, avoiding interruptions and surprises.
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot button in the top right corner.
- Accede to Settings / Configuration and then to Privacy .
- At the top you will see the function of privacy review. Click and navigate to “Select who can contact you.”
- Here you will find the option “Silence calls from unknown numbers”. Activate it by sliding the corresponding button.
Once enabled, All calls from numbers you don't have saved will be silencedThey'll still appear in your call history and notifications, but you won't receive any annoying alerts or interruptions. Pay attention to your call log periodically if you're expecting important communications from people you don't yet have in your address book.
Control who can add you to WhatsApp groups
One of the most intrusive forms of unwanted contact is being added to a WhatsApp group without your consent. To prevent strangers from adding me to groups and seeing my phone number, you should set group privacy settings as follows:
- Sign in Settings > Privacy .
- Select option Groups.
- Choose from these options: "Everybody" (anyone can add you), "My contacts" (only people you have saved can do this) or “My contacts except…” (being able to exclude specific contacts).
Recommendation: Select “My contacts” or “My contacts except…” to reduce the risk of being added by strangers to groups where your number is visible to others.
Configure your privacy settings so that strangers cannot see your data on WhatsApp.
While you can't completely restrict strangers from sending messages, you can limit access to your Profile picture, last online time, personal information, and online status. So, even if they write to you, they won't be able to see additional details unless you have them in your address book.
- Accede to Settings > Account > Privacy .
- In the following sections, select "My contacts" or “Nobody”:
- Profile picture.
- Last Time and Online.
- Info.
- States.
Thus, No one outside your contacts will be able to access your image, activity, or read your information.For maximum privacy, choose “Nobody” for the sections you consider most critical.
Additionally, you can disable read receipts (the blue double check), so that no one knows if you have read their messages:
- Under “Privacy”, look for the option "Read receipts" and turn it off. Keep in mind that you won't be able to see other people's read receipts either.
Are there any new options for blocking messages from strangers on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is developing new features to combat spam and mass messages from unknown accounts. Among the more advanced new features starting to roll out (first in beta versions) are:
- Automatic blocking of mass messages from unknown people: The app activates a filter when you receive a large number of messages in a row from numbers not registered in your address book, automatically blocking the avalanche.
- Advanced protection in privacy options – “Advanced” section: From the Privacy settings, you can access the subsection “How to configure WhatsApp so that unknown numbers do not write to me” to enable, when available, the blocking messages from unknown accounts.
For now, this feature is only available to select users and doesn't block individual messages (it does block mass attacks). However, it's recommended to enable it when installed in your version for additional protection against spam or fraud campaigns.
Best practices and precautions for messages and calls from strangers on WhatsApp
- Do not respond to suspicious messages: If you don't recognize the number or the content seems strange, ignore and block immediately.
- Do not share personal information or codesNever send passwords, verification codes, or sensitive data, even if the message appears to come from a known person or entity.
- Be wary of prizes, raffles, offers and requests for money: Most are fraud or phishing attempts to steal your information or money.
- Activate XNUMX-Step Verification: Strengthen the security of your account with a personal PIN in Settings > Account > Two step verification.
- Check your call and message logs regularly.: This way, if you receive any interesting communications from people you don't yet have in your address book, you can quickly identify them and add or block them if appropriate.
- Report scams and abuse on WhatsAppIf you detect an attempt at fraud, harassment, or impersonation, block and report it. WhatsApp will analyze the account to take action and prevent further harm to other users.
