How does someone find you contact details on WhatsApp?

[Pit Pony]

Simple question.

If you have never given your phone number to someone, is it possible for them to WhatsApp you?

[blaineuk]

Yes, once they store your number in their contacts, they can contact you on what’s app.

[Cupid-stunt]

you can block them as well.

[Pit Pony]

Yes,but they would have to have your number from somewhere?

And I don't recall ever contacting them via other media such as phone or text or giving them my number.

[Pit Pony]

Cupid-stunt said:

you can block them as well.

I know this.

[dontlookdown]

AFAIK you do have to have someone's number to contact them on WhatsApp.

But a person could have got your number from someone (or somewhere) else. Not necessarily direct from you.

Or they could just be spamming numbers. You get a few on those on WhatsApp. In which case, block them as noted above.

[thebraketester]

Pit Pony said:

Yes,but they would have to have your number from somewhere?

And I don't recall ever contacting them via other media such as phone or text or giving them my number.

Ok. 07987 176 276.

That's someone's phone number I made up and you can what's app them.

Or did they what's app you "hello pit pony" etc etc ?

[bitchstewie]

A person you know or you've had something from a scammer?

Scammers just blanket send to thousands of numbers.

Someone you know chances are someone's given them your number.

[gotoPzero]

All you have to do is go into a new message and click "new contact" then add the number in.

Do you have a business Facebook page? Sometimes people link their FB to WA by accident. It only works on business though, IIRC.

[Pit Pony]

dontlookdown said:

AFAIK you do have to have someone's number to contact them on WhatsApp.

But a person could have got your number from someone (or somewhere) else. Not necessarily direct from you.

Or they could just be spamming numbers. You get a few on those on WhatsApp. In which case, block them as noted above.

It's someone I know (in my wifes freindship group) and the subject was something mundane about a dent on my wife's car that I wanted her husband to look at. But the weird thing about her is that she whatsapped me about the dent whilst sitting next to my wife at another friend's dinning table, without mentioning it to my wife. Which is not completely normal.

And I don't recall giving her my contact details, but maybe she got it from her husband, not that I recall giving it to him...but who can remember everything.

I know other people have my details.

[Jonmx]

Quite often LinkedIn and various other places will provide your number if you've not clicked the appropriate privacy boxes. And yes, you don't have to have that person in your phone book for them to WhatsApp you.

[Pit Pony]

gotoPzero said:

All you have to do is go into a new message and click "new contact" then add the number in.

Do you have a business Facebook page? Sometimes people link their FB to WA by accident. It only works on business though, IIRC.

I have zero contacts on Facebook. Only registering to buy a set of golf clubs on marketplace.

She's not a LinkedIn connection.

[bitchstewie]

Honestly isn't this just an Occam's razor thing?

Your wife or someone who has your number has passed your number on.

[Pit Pony]

bhstewie said:

Your wife or someone who has your number has passed your number on.

I'm sure that is the rational explanation.

[vikingaero]

Pit Pony said:

bhstewie said:

Your wife or someone who has your number has passed your number on.

I'm sure that is the rational explanation.

I've asked colleagues for another collegues phone number to give them the heads up that the bosses were ranting about them not turning up.

I occasionally get random WhatsApp messages from American numbers saying Hi or Hey.

As above, anyone can target a range of numbers - 07818 123000 to 07818 124000, and the next day move on to 124000 to 125000.

[Pit Pony]

Could a married couple have a shared contact list. I'm thinking I phones. I know for instance my son and his wife have a shared calendar.

[CoolHands]

Sounds like you’re in there!

[Senex]

vikingaero said:

I've asked colleagues for another collegues phone number to give them the heads up that the bosses were ranting about them not turning up.

Yep, I've done this before but I always start the message with telling them my name.

[123DWA]

Are you in a group chat and they got your number from there?

[Peanut Gallery]

123DWA said:

Are you in a group chat and they got your number from there?

This - I am in a few groups, and can see the full names and numbers of people who are not in my contacts - I have always been asked if its OK for me to be added to the group as everyone else will be able to see my name and number - note, asked by the guys setting up the groups not by Whatsapp.