What Never to Share With a Stranger Online (India Checklist)

Anonymous chat is only anonymous if you keep it that way. Most of the harm from stranger chat does not come from clever hacking. It comes from ordinary people being asked for something and handing it over. This checklist covers what to keep to yourself, and the small clues that give you away even when you think you are careful.

Never share these, under any story

• OTPs, PINs and passwords. No genuine person needs your OTP, UPI PIN, card number or CVV. Not for a refund, a prize or “verification”.
• Identity documents. Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, college ID, or a photo of any of them.
• Bank and payment details. Account numbers, UPI IDs for receiving “rewards”, or screenshots of payment apps.
• Intimate photos or videos. Anything you would not want public. Once it exists, you cannot control where it goes.
• Remote access. Never install an app or share your screen because a stranger asks.

Be careful with these

• Phone number. It connects to your accounts, your contacts and many apps. (ChatAnony blocks phone numbers in chat for this reason.)
• Your social media handle. It leads straight to your name, photos and friends.
• Where you live or study. Neighbourhood, school, college, workplace or the route you take.
• Your real name and age details. Even a first name plus a city can narrow things down.
• When you are alone. Information about your home, your family or your schedule.

The clues you leave without noticing

• On camera: a school uniform, a name on a shirt, a certificate on the wall, mail on a table, a view from the window.
• In photos: pictures can include location data in the file. Do not send originals.
• In voice: background announcements, a distinctive local sound or a name being called.
• In your username: do not include your birth year, your area or your real name. ChatAnony gives you a random one so you do not have to think about it.

Things that sound harmless but are not

• “Which school or college do you go to?” can identify you within a few messages.
• “Add me on Telegram or Instagram.” Moving off the platform removes the reports and filters that protect you.
• “Click this link to see my photo.” Links can lead to phishing sites or malware.
• “Show me your face first.” Anyone can record or screenshot a call.

A 10-second check before you send anything

1. Would I be okay if this was posted publicly with my name?
2. Does this person actually need this to chat? (They never do.)
3. Is anyone rushing me?

If the answer to any of these is no, do not send it. Skip, and report if it was a request that crossed a line. If you have already shared something you regret, read our scam and sextortion guide for what to do next. You can also read how ChatAnony handles data in the Privacy Policy.

If you already shared something

1. Stop. Do not send more, and do not respond to pressure.
2. Secure what you can. If it was a password or code, change it now and tell your bank if payment details were involved.
3. Save evidence. Screenshots and account names help if you report.
4. Report. Use 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in for fraud or threats, and the report button in the chat.
5. Do not pay anyone who threatens you. Our scam guide explains why.

Settings worth checking on your device

• Camera and microphone permissions: allow them only when you need them.
• Notifications: hide message previews so private chats do not pop up on a shared screen.
• Photo location: turn off location tagging in your camera app before you share any picture.
• Screen sharing: never accept a request to share your screen or install a remote-access app.

Why strangers ask, and why you can say no

People who ask for personal details are usually either curious, or are trying to build a picture of you. You cannot tell which from a chat window, and you do not need to. “I would rather not share that” is a complete answer, and anyone who argues with it has shown you what you needed to know.

A note on usernames and photos

Many people forget that their name on a site can follow them. A username made from your name, birth year or area is a clue that stays visible in every chat. If a site lets you choose one, pick something random. The same applies to profile photos on any related account: a stranger who can find your photo can often find the rest of you with a reverse image search.

What a good chat site will never ask you

A legitimate chat site does not need your OTP, UPI PIN, card number, Aadhaar, or a payment to let you talk. If a page, message or “support agent” asks for any of these, close it. ChatAnony never asks for them, and our Grievance Officer can confirm if you are not sure whether a message is genuine.

Common questions