There’s no shortage of apps and services to help us message our friends and family. While services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are widely used options, Telegram is an app that’s becoming increasingly popular, with nearly 1 billion active monthly users. But does that really mean it’s safe?
Here, we’ll check out what Telegram is used for, if it’s safe, and some common Telegram scams you’ll want to look out for. Let’s dive in.
What is Telegram Used For?
Telegram is a free messaging app that allows users to text, call, and video chat with other Telegram users all around the world (provided you have WiFi or access to data, of course). The app is cloud-based, meaning chats are stored on servers, allowing you to sync conversations across any device.
Telegram is also widely used for its large-scale group chats (up to 2000 people) and channels (widespread one-way messaging, kind of similar to X/Twitter). These features mean Telegram can be used for one-on-one socializing as well as more social media-like content creation and consumption.
Is Telegram Safe?
The general answer is “yes,” but there are some security and privacy features you’ll want to be aware of before downloading and using the app. The biggest potential concern is the fact that unless you use Telegram’s “Secret Chat” feature — which is off by default and needs to be activated in every single one-on-one chat — your messages will not include end-to-end encryption.
What does that mean? It means that whatever is in your chat can be read by Telegram or a third party with backdoor access. For most people, this isn’t an issue, but for some, the idea of private conversations being not-so-private can be unsettling (fairly so). While Telegram does have robust security features, it hasn’t stopped the app from falling victim to data breaches in the past, potentially exposing millions of users’ private information. That said, these security risks are present with almost any messaging app, meaning that Telegram is just as safe as the other big providers.
Common Telegram Scams
Scammers are everywhere — emails, text messages, and even parking meters. So, it’s no surprise that they also like to prowl popular messaging apps like Telegram. If you’re planning on using Telegram, be on the lookout for some of these common scams.
Phishing Scams
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a list of common scams on any digital platform that isn’t headlined by phishing scams. Telegram is no exception. Phishing scams on Telegram work the same as anywhere else — scammers send you some type of urgent message (usually about how to claim money or stop suspicious activity) that includes a link to a malicious website or download.
One unique spin on phishing scams conducted through Telegram is the use of bot features. Telegram allows for bots to be built and used with AI to create engaging interactions for all sorts of specific tasks (like news reports, schedule management, etc.). While having AI-powered bots built in can certainly be a cool feature, scammers have used the opportunity to make AI-powered scam bots that can engage in phishing messages all on their own.
Whether you’re dealing with traditional phishing or AI-driven phishing, the solution is the same — never, and we mean never, click a link you aren’t 100% sure is safe.
“Friend in Need” Scams
Another semi-common scam that has become popular on Telegram is what’s known as the “friend in need” scam. This scam is a bit more intricate than others, in that it requires a base level of research on the scammer’s part. For a friend-in-need scam, scammers collect information on a person and then reach out to a friend or family member claiming some type of emergency that requires a favor (usually cash). These asks usually come with some pretext, such as a medical emergency or car wreck that has made their phone inaccessible, thus they could only reach out through Telegram.
No one wants to leave a friend in need hanging, but you also don’t want to get scammed. The best way to handle this is to immediately reach out to the friend who is supposedly contacting you by trying their actual phone number.
Romance Scams
Romance scams are a booming market for scammers. After all, it’s one area where people are more likely to follow their hearts instead of their heads. Because a large portion of scammers are spread out internationally, messaging apps like Telegram are a perfect way for them to move out of dating apps and onto phase two of their scams: pulling heartstrings for profit.
In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women on dating apps reported being victims of a romance scam. That’s a terrifying number for anyone looking for love, but sadly not all that surprising. When it comes to avoiding getting scammed by fake love, there are a few concrete red flags you can’t overlook, no matter how genuine the connection feels. If any of the following apply to you, be on guard:
- You’ve never met them in person
- You’ve never had a video call with them
- They always have an excuse for why they can’t meet or talk
- They ask for money or gifts
- They ask for very specific private information (that could be used to steal your identity)
Nobody wants to find out their love is a ruse, but it’s better to rip off the band-aid before you’re down serious money.
Scam Channels
Telegram channels are a good way to stay in the loop with your favorite news sources, celebrities, content creators, and more. Much like how scammers use clone websites to trick people, they have also begun cloning popular Telegram channels in the hopes that people will subscribe, thinking it’s the real deal. Once they have enough people who think they are in a legitimate channel, a phishing link usually goes out, resulting in compromised private information or malware being downloaded onto devices.
Crypto Scams
The rise of cryptocurrency has also brought about new scams, looking to rug-pull investors or just steal their crypto outright. Because Telegram has channel and large group chat features, it’s become a place people go to learn about and discuss current crypto dealings. This has opened the door for certain scammers to present themselves as crypto experts, offering people investment opportunities through Telegram. After convincing people to send them crypto to invest, they simply disappear, leaving the victims empty-handed.
Avoiding Telegram crypto scams (and crypto scams in general) is fairly easy, so long as you never send crypto to a stranger or share account/ledger information.
Staying Safe on Telegram (and Everywhere Else)
So long as you know what to look for when it comes to common scams, Telegram is a completely safe and legitimate option for anyone looking for a comprehensive messaging app.
One other way to stay safe when interacting with people on Telegram (or anywhere, really) is by verifying who you’re talking to via a people search tool like Spokeo. By running a name through Spokeo’s database, you can attempt to verify that the person you’re interacting with on Telegram is who they say they are by checking addresses, other social media profiles, telephone numbers, and even criminal history (additional fees may apply). It never hurts to be sure who you’re talking to, whether that’s in real life or online.
Cyrus Grant is a writer from Southern California with a background in law and dispute resolution. When he isn’t writing, he can be found deep-diving into the latest technology trends or simply spending time at the beach.