What to Do If You're Being Stalked

Updated March 2026 · Silent Security Research Team

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 stalking support: National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center (victimconnect.org) or the Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

Stalking affects approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the US at some point in their lives. It is a crime in all 50 states. If you believe you are being stalked, the steps below can help you document incidents, protect yourself, and pursue legal options.

Step 1: Document Everything

Think of documentation like building a legal case file: Every incident you record is a piece of evidence. Prosecutors and judges need a pattern, not just one incident. Your records make that pattern undeniable.

Keep a Stalking Incident Log

For every incident: write down the date, time, location, what happened, any witnesses, and how it made you feel (relevant for harassment cases). Use the SPARC-13 assessment tool (free online) used by law enforcement to classify stalking behaviors.

Save All Communications

Screenshot texts, emails, social media messages, and voicemails. Back them up to a cloud account the stalker doesn't know about. Do not delete anything — even threatening messages are evidence.

Report to Police and Get a Case Number

Even if police say there's not enough for an arrest, get a case number. Every report builds the documented pattern needed for a restraining order or prosecution. Ask specifically about stalking charges — not just harassment.

Step 2: Legal Protections

File for a restraining order / order of protection through your local courthouse — you don't need an attorney to file, though one helps
Stalking is a criminal offense in all 50 states — ask police about criminal stalking charges specifically
Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2261A) criminalizes interstate stalking and cyberstalking
Contact your state's Victim Compensation Program — you may qualify for help with security expenses, relocation, or legal fees
If the stalker is a co-worker or former colleague, notify HR in writing — they have legal obligations

Step 3: Digital Security Lockdown

Change passwords on ALL accounts — assume your accounts may be compromised
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) with an authenticator app, not SMS — stalkers can SIM-swap phone numbers
Turn off location sharing in every app: Google Maps, Apple Maps, Snapchat, Instagram, Life360
Check your car for GPS trackers — inspect wheel wells, under bumpers, inside the OBD-II port
Scan your phone for stalkerware — consider a full factory reset if you suspect it
Set all social media to private; remove your location, workplace, neighborhood from profiles
Request your personal data be removed from people-search sites (Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified)
Consider a new email address and phone number that the stalker doesn't know

Step 4: Home Security Hardening

Change your locks and deadbolts — get a locksmith immediately
Install exterior security cameras covering all approaches to your home
Install a video doorbell — see who's at the door before opening it
Consider a monitored alarm system that contacts police automatically
Get to know your neighbors and ask them to call police if they see the stalker
Vary your daily routines — leave at different times, take different routes
Alert your building manager, doorman, or property manager with a photo of the stalker
Don't share your home address on social media, public websites, or business cards

Free Resources:
• Victim Connect Resource Center: victimconnect.org / 1-855-4-VICTIM
• National Center for Victims of Crime: victimsofcrime.org
• Safety Net (tech safety): nnedv.org/content/safety-net/
• StopStalkerware.org (for checking your devices)