FightCyberstalking.org - Report a Cyberstalker
It is imperative that you seek help from your local police department if you are a victim of a cyberstalker. It is also important that you do not delete emails, chats, phone messages, and harassing private message board messages so that you can present this evidence to your local police department. Do NOT call 911 to report a cyberstalking crime. Please visit your local police department for assistance.
Steps You Should Take If You Are a Victim of a Cyberstalker:
- ***SCAN your computer using anti-virus software for Trojans, worms, and email viruses that the cyberstalker MAY have sent you without your knowledge. It's not uncommon for a cyberstalker to send you a keylogger. A keylogger records key strokes, websites you visited, your passwords and usernames. Please make sure you scan your computer right away. If you can't remove the virus right away don't use that computer anymore; instead, use another computer that is clean and free from viruses. FightCyberstalking.org recommends AVG.
- Save evidence: emails, chats, private messages, etc.
- File a complaint with the cyberstalker's Internet service provider.
- Tell friends and family members you're being cyberstalked and tell them NOT to post personal information about you online such as your exact whereabouts, links to your other social networking accounts, email address, etc.
- Change your online screen name.
- Don't use the same old username(s) on message boards, chat rooms, and social networking sites.
- Change your email address.
- Avoid using free email accounts.
- Change all online passwords and change security answers.
- Don't post photos with identifying landmarks of your whereabouts.
- Avoid using your full name online as search engines may index sites you frequent (e.g., commenting on blogs, commenting on message boards, and using your full name to message people publically on popular social networking sites).
- Use caution when using social networking sites:
a.) Accept friend requests and follow requests from people you know and trust
b.) Don't post too much personal information to your accounts such as birthdate, email address, home address, phone number, mother's maiden name, the city and state you were born, and your age
c.) Avoid adding applications to your social networking account
d.) Click on links from people you know and trust. Usually redirect links are from spammers who will attempt to redirect you to a virus!
See Also
General Tips for Cyberstalking Victims
Additional Resources
