WhatsApp Harassment and Threats: What to Do
Repeated messages, threats or abuse on WhatsApp can be frightening. How to block and report, keep evidence safely, limit who can contact you, and when to go to the police.
Harassment on WhatsApp can come from strangers, scammers who were refused, ex-partners or people in a group. It can include repeated messages, threats, insults or sharing private information. You do not have to put up with it.
Immediate steps
- If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.
- Do not engage. Replies often escalate things.
- Save evidence: screenshots showing the number, dates and times. See preserving evidence.
- Block and report the number. See blocking and reporting.
Limit who can reach you
- Set profile photo, About, last seen and status to My contacts. See privacy settings.
- Stop strangers adding you to groups. See group adds.
- Silence unknown callers. See how.
- If someone had access to your phone, check linked devices.
When to report to the police
- Threats of violence or to share intimate images. See blackmail.
- Repeated contact after you asked them to stop.
- Harassment linked to a scam or extortion demand.
Get support. Talk to someone you trust, and consider local victim support services. In England and Wales, Victim Support offers free help.
If an ex-partner is involved, see ex-partner account access. For more, see how to protect your WhatsApp account.
Frequently asked questions
Should I delete the messages?
Keep them. Take screenshots showing the number, dates and times before blocking, in case you report to the police.
They keep contacting me from new numbers. What can I do?
Block each one, tighten your privacy settings, silence unknown callers, and tell the police that the harassment is continuing.
When should I go to the police?
If you are threatened, fear for your safety, or the harassment continues. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Sources
- How to block and report someone, WhatsApp Help Center
- How to change your privacy settings, WhatsApp Help Center
- Victim Support, Victim Support
