How to Spot a Stalker

Secret admirers can be exhilarating and romantic but when admiration turns into obsession, the attention has the potential to be dangerous. A stalker should never be ignored, but accusing someone of stalking is a harsh accusation so it's important to know if stalking is actually taking in place. Here are some tips to help you spot a stalker.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Look for suspicious cars or vehicles. Stalkers will often take the time to learn where you work and frequently travel and will watch you when you visit these locations. Look for cars in the parking lot where you work that do not belong to fellow employees; if you see unfamiliar vehicles write down their model, make and license plate number and keep track of how many times the vehicle appears.
2. Watch your mail. If you receive anonymous mail or mail without a return address, it might be from a stalker. Examine mail that contains personal information, such as bills, for signs of tampering as a stalker may open mail like this to gain information.
3. Keep track of strange phone calls. While people dialing wrong numbers and hanging up once they realize their mistake is a fairly common occurrence, stalkers often call their victims at the same time of day or at the same location because they use this as a way of controlling and keeping track of the object of their obsession. If you start to receive hang-ups at the same time every day or from the same unknown phone number, note how often they occur and how long they last.
4. Be aware of new acquaintances. A stalker may start out as a complete stranger who attempts to ingratiate himself or herself into your life as their obsession grows. Take note if you start to see the same person at the coffee shop you stop at for your caffeine fix every morning or if a new customer or delivery person starts to frequent your place of employment.
5. Observe from a distance. No matter how determined you are to spot a stalker or prove that you are being stalked, never put yourself in danger doing so. Make your observations while maintaining a safe distance between you and your suspected stalker. If at any point your stalker makes contact with you or you feel that you are in danger, contact the police immediately.