Who can contact me?
Someone can contact you if they know your phone number, or if you message them first. Without your number, there are two further routes, and both are under your control.
The ways a stranger can reach you
| Route | How to close it |
|---|---|
| They have your phone number saved | Cannot be closed; they had it before Telegram was involved |
| You are both in the same group | Restrict who may message you, or leave the group |
| You set a public username | Clear the username, or restrict who may message you |
Tighten these under Settings, Privacy and Security: who can find you by number, who may add you to groups, and who may call you. Group additions are where most unwanted contact begins.
The Verification Codes chat
Third-party services can deliver their own login codes to you through Telegram. These arrive in a single verified chat named Verification Codes, where you tap a code to copy it instantly. A service that has not set its own name and picture simply appears under that default name.
If a code arrives that you did not request
It usually means somebody mistyped their own number and entered yours while signing in to an external website, app or marketplace. Your Telegram account is not affected. Tap the message and choose Report; nothing else is needed. Which delivery method a service uses is decided by that service, and Telegram cannot change it or tell them your preference.
The distinction that matters
| Chat | Contains | Safe to share |
|---|---|---|
| Verification Codes | Codes from third-party services | With that service only |
| Telegram (verified) | Login codes for your own Telegram account | Never, with anyone |