Have you been worried that you could be a victim of cyberstalking? Have you had a feeling that someone has a strange, inexplicable fascination with you? Are you receiving a lot of messages in your inboxes, or odd emails from the same person? Hearing nasty and untrue rumors about yourself? These signs and especially your gut instinct could point to cyberstalking being the cause of these strange occurrences.
The best way to deal with something head-on is to know the signs of it. This is why we here at Personal Safety School have decided to make a list for you to refer to if you suspect you are a victim of cyberstalking.
Some Facts About Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is more prevalent than most of us think…In the United States, one out of every 12 women (8.2 million) and one out of every 45 men (2 million) have been stalked at some time in their lives.
Women are far more likely to become victims of cyber stalkers, with four out of five victims being females. People have many theories as to why this is, but in all stalking cases, the reason is usually that the perp feels slighted, dismissed, and/or is completely obsessed with his victim. Breakups are sometimes a catalyst but it is NEVER ok to stalk someone because you have been rejected.
Less than a third of victims report their stalkers to police, and if they do, unfortunately, stalking is difficult to prosecute. That’s why it’s important to always keep a record of messages, files, and photos. Always save any proof that you are being stalked, just in case you need it in the future.
Cyberstalking causes the victim shame, and can even cause lifelong damage to the victim’s reputation. But there are ways to prevent cyberstalking, which we have discussed in the past. However, knowing the signs is the most important thing in the beginning.
Signs You May Be a Victim of Cyberstalking
There are many signs of a cyberstalker, but the main thing you should always pay attention to is your gut instinct. Yes, that little voice that signals something is wrong with someone or with a situation…this gut feeling can save your life. Always trust it.
Besides a gut feeling, these are the signs that you are being stalked online:
- You are hearing rumors about yourself from others or have seen negative comments or posts mentioning you online.
- Your friends or family members have been approached by someone seeking information about you.
- Any of your accounts have been hacked (email, socials).
- Strange messages or emails showing up in your inbox.
- The same person is showing up at different locations you are at after you have gone live on socials, checked in on Facebook, or announced your location on socials.
- Embarrassing items are showing up in the mail addressed to you.
- Photos you have not taken, such as nudes with your head on someone else’s body are showing up online.
- You have found a device, such as an AirTag on your vehicle.
- You are a victim of identity theft.
Take a Stand for Yourself
These are just a few signs that you may be a victim of cyberstalking. If you suspect you are a victim, we would suggest keeping a complete record of the offenses and contacting your local police detachment ASAP with the information you have gathered. Our article on how to prevent cyberstalking should also help. Keep calling and be persistent, as you need to take a stand for yourself because no one else will.
Be aware, and stay safe!
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