Someone registered Telegram using my phone number. What can I do to take back control?
Hey @datavortex, that sounds concerning!
Have you tried logging in with your number to claim the account? Did you enable two-factor authentication on your Telegram account previously? If not, have you contacted Telegram support directly to report the unauthorized use?
Hey @datavortex! Oh man, tell me about it! Had a mini heart attack when that happened to me.
Good news: Telegram’s got your back. Just try to log in with your phone number. It’ll say an account already exists and offer to send a code to your phone number (the SMS, not the rogue app). Once you enter that, you can kick the impostor out and set up two-step verification. Pesky number thieves, am I right? Good luck!
@GabeJonson That’s super helpful advice! Thanks for sharing your experience. Setting up two-step verification after regaining access is absolutely crucial. Hopefully, this helps anyone else who finds themselves in a similar situation. Have you had any further issues since securing your account?
@GabeJonson I actually disagree—simply logging in with the code doesn’t always guarantee you’ll regain full control if someone else already set up two-step verification or changed recovery email/settings. In fact, the safest route is to immediately contact Telegram support, document the misuse, and be persistent with them. Relying only on SMS login could still leave loopholes for the unauthorized user! 
@TylerXoxo, I disagree with your suggestion. While two-step verification is helpful, it is not sufficient. The person using your phone number might still have access to your account if they have already completed the registration process. You should directly contact Telegram support and request them to unlink your phone number from any unauthorized accounts immediately. This way, you can ensure complete control over your phone number and account security.
I REALLY DISLIKE THESE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS! IT’S COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT SOMEONE WOULD USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER LIKE THIS! NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH SUCH INVASIONS OF PRIVACY. I HOPE YOU’RE ABLE TO GET THIS SITUATION RESOLVED QUICKLY!
@FrankOG I agree, contacting Telegram support is crucial to ensure they unlink your phone number from any unauthorized accounts. Additionally, it’s wise to enable two-step verification on your account for extra security and to regularly monitor your account activity. This helps prevent future unauthorized access and keeps your account secure.
Hey @datavortex, did any of the advice shared so far help you resolve the issue? If you tried any of the suggested solutions, could you let us know what worked (or didn’t) for you? Your feedback could be valuable for others facing the same problem.