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If someone is threatening you, trying to stop your car, or attempting to enter your home, move to a staffed public place and call 911. Don’t drive home to test whether a vehicle follows you, confront the person, or take dangerous evasive action. If a partner or ex-partner may have access to your phone or accounts, use a safer device and contact an advocate before changing settings.
One unsettling encounter or phone glitch does not prove surveillance. More meaningful evidence is a repeated, unwanted pattern: someone appearing at unrelated places, waiting near home or work, knowing private information, or technology repeatedly showing that an unknown device is traveling with you. The goal is to protect yourself, preserve useful information, and get support—not to catch or confront someone.
What spying or following can look like
Stalking can involve physical following or watching, unwanted contact, GPS tracking, or technology-assisted monitoring. The CDC describes it as a pattern of unwanted conduct that causes fear or safety concerns; examples include following, watching, tracking, and spying through technology (CDC overview of stalking). The legal definition and available remedies vary by location, so a concerning behavior is not automatically a crime in every jurisdiction.
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Possible ways someone could learn about your movements include:
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- Following you on foot or by car, or waiting near your home, workplace, school, gym, or regular stops.
- A Bluetooth tag or a GPS device placed in a belonging or vehicle.
- Access to your phone, email, social accounts, location sharing, family mobile plan, or cloud account.
- Stalkerware installed on a phone or computer.
- Access to connected-car, roadside-assistance, insurance telematics, or smart-home accounts.
- Information from public posts, shared routines, mutual contacts, or other people’s devices.
These possibilities are not proof of stalking. Shared routines, a borrowed bag or car, a colleague’s tag, a family location-sharing arrangement, or a tracker belonging to someone traveling nearby can explain some signals. Look for a pattern and consider ordinary explanations without dismissing a credible safety concern.
Assess the pattern, not one clue
| What you notice | What it may mean | A reasonable next step |
|---|---|---|
| One person or similar car appears once or twice in a familiar area; one unusually low battery day. | Ambiguous. Familiar routes and ordinary phone activity can create coincidences. | Stay alert, avoid confrontation, and privately note what happened if it troubled you. |
| The same person or vehicle appears at several unrelated locations; someone knows private information; unknown-tracker alerts recur; an old partner’s account still has access. | A repeated pattern or technology signal merits attention, but still does not establish the person’s motive or prove a crime. | Use safer communications, document the events, and consider an advocate, police non-emergency line, or qualified professional. |
| Someone threatens you, blocks you, tries to stop your vehicle, attempts entry, or appears with a weapon. | Possible immediate danger. | Go to a staffed public place and call 911. Follow dispatcher instructions. |
This is a practical safety guide, not a legal test. Battery drain, higher data use, altered settings, a nearby Bluetooth tag, or seeing a familiar vehicle are clues that need context—not standalone proof.
If you think someone is following you right now
On foot
- Do not go home if you think you are being followed. Avoid leading the person to your address or another private location.
- Go into a staffed public place, such as an open business, hotel desk, hospital, transit office, or police or fire station. If useful, tell an employee: “I believe someone is following me. Can I stay here while I call for help?”
- Call 911 if the person is threatening you, closing distance, blocking you, trying to enter, displaying a weapon, or waiting outside. If danger is not immediate, contact a trusted person or local support service.
- If you suspect your phone is monitored, use a safer device for sensitive calls. Note a description, location, time, and direction only if doing so does not increase risk.
- Do not approach, argue with, threaten, or photograph the person at close range. Do not ask a friend to investigate or follow them.
The safest response depends on the place, the person’s behavior, your mobility, and whether an abusive partner is involved. There is no universal need to turn around or test whether someone follows you.
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- Do not drive home, speed, run lights, make dangerous turns, or try to lose the other vehicle.
- Keep doors locked and windows closed. Drive to a busy, well-lit place with staff, such as a police or fire station, hospital emergency department, or open business.
- Call 911 hands-free if the vehicle is persistently following you, threatening you, or trying to make you stop. If possible, stay in the locked vehicle until help arrives; do not get out to confront the driver.
- A passenger may record a vehicle description and plate if safe. The driver should not use a phone while driving.
- If the vehicle leaves, record where and when the incident occurred and tell someone you trust. Its departure does not establish that the risk is over.
RAINN’s safety-planning guidance includes identifying safe destinations, alternate routes, a charged phone, and a support network; it does not mean that a few turns prove someone is tailing you (RAINN safety planning).
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- PROTECTION ANYTIME, ANYWHERE – Whether you’re heading out for a morning jog, walking your dog at night, navigating a busy campus, or traveling solo, Birdie is the perfect safety accessory. Compact and lightweight, it easily attaches to your keychain or bag, ensuring you feel confident and secure wherever life takes you—day or night, near or far.
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At home, work, or school
If someone is outside, trying to get in, or making an immediate threat, call 911. Don’t go outside to confront them. At work or school, tell security or a trusted manager or staff member what you observed and ask about a safe exit or escort. If an incident is not immediate, write down observable details and consider an advocate or police non-emergency contact.
Check for unknown Bluetooth trackers
Phone alerts can help identify some compatible Bluetooth trackers traveling with you. They do not detect every tracking method. A Bluetooth scan is not a scan for every GPS device, stalkerware installation, compromised account, camera, or person physically following you.
On iPhone or iPad
Apple’s guidance says unwanted-tracking notifications for AirTags and Find My accessories require iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later. Detection for unknown Bluetooth trackers compatible with the industry specification requires iOS or iPadOS 17.5 or later. For notifications, Location Services, Find My iPhone, Bluetooth, Tracking Notifications, and ordinary connectivity need to be enabled; Airplane Mode prevents notifications from arriving.
- Review earlier alerts at Find My → Items → Items Detected With You.
- Open an alert and, where offered, use Play Sound or Find Nearby to help locate the device.
- If safe, check belongings that travel with you, such as pockets, bags, coats, and luggage, as well as the vehicle.
- If you find a device, preserve identifying details such as its serial number or device ID before disabling it, if doing so is safe. If you feel at risk, go to a safe public place and contact law enforcement.
An alert or manual detection indicates a technical event; it does not establish who owns the tag or why it is nearby. A tag may belong to someone traveling with you, be attached to a borrowed item, or be a lost device. A tag may also go undetected if it is out of range, incompatible, inactive, shielded, or no longer traveling with you. Disabling it may stop further updates, but could remove evidence or alert its owner. See Apple’s current unwanted-tracker guidance.
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On Android
Google says unknown-tracker alerts are available on Android 6 and later. The menu can vary by Android version and phone maker. The general paths are:
- Android 12 and later: Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts.
- Android 11 and earlier: Settings → Google → Personal & device safety → Unknown tracker alerts.
- Choose Scan now for a manual scan; Google says it takes about 10 seconds.
- If an alert appears, review the map showing where the tracker was detected moving with you. Tap Play sound to help locate a compatible device; Google says playing the sound does not notify its owner.
- If you cannot locate it, retrace the route and, if safe, check your car, backpack, clothing, and belongings.
- Save useful alert information promptly: Google says previous alerts are deleted after 48 hours.
Turning off Bluetooth or Location, or enabling Airplane Mode, does not disable the tracker itself. Google’s system currently covers Find Hub-compatible tags and headphones as well as Apple AirTags; it is not a universal detector for every Bluetooth or GPS product. See Google’s Android instructions.
Check phone and accounts without alerting someone unnecessarily
Stalkerware is software used to monitor someone’s phone or activity; it is different from visible, consensual location sharing or a familiar parental-control app. Depending on what is installed, it may expose location, messages, email, photos, browsing, or access to a microphone or camera. The FTC lists possible clues such as someone knowing unusually specific information, having had physical access to the phone, unexpected battery or data changes, and altered settings. Each can have ordinary explanations, and stalkerware can be deliberately difficult to detect (FTC guidance on stalkerware).
Before changing a monitored device, consider whether the change could alert the person or increase risk. Uninstalling an app, changing passwords, disabling a car account, removing a tracker, or resetting a phone may be visible to someone with access. In an abusive relationship, contact an advocate and make a safety plan first if you can.
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- Use a safer device if possible. A device the suspected person has not accessed can be safer for contacting support and reviewing accounts.
- Review access before deleting anything. From the safer device, look at account sign-in sessions, security alerts, installed apps, device-administrator privileges, accessibility permissions, VPN and configuration profiles, notification access, and location-sharing settings. Preserve evidence if it matters to your safety or a report.
- Review accounts and sharing: primary email and recovery methods; Apple Account or Google Account devices; Find My and Google Maps Location Sharing; family groups; shared calendars and photo libraries; password managers; and connected apps such as Life360, Snapchat, Facebook, or Instagram.
- Review other access points: family wireless plans, mobile-carrier authorized users and account PIN, call forwarding, smart-home apps, Wi-Fi router administration, ride-hailing, delivery, fitness, and vehicle apps.
- Plan account changes. From a safer device, consider changing passwords—starting with primary email—to unique passwords and enabling multifactor authentication. Check that recovery email addresses and phone numbers are yours. Changing everything at once may lock you out or alert someone who still has access.
- Consider a reset or replacement only after planning. A factory reset can erase evidence and does not necessarily address compromised accounts or vehicle services. Do not root or jailbreak a phone to investigate. A consumer antivirus scan cannot reliably rule out sophisticated stalkerware.
Turning off phone GPS alone does not remove all location exposure. Account access, app permissions, cellular networks, vehicle services, Wi-Fi, public posts, and other people’s devices may all reveal location. NNEDV’s technology safety planning guide recommends considering connected devices and accounts, carrier location services, and vehicle services as part of the broader picture.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check vehicle access safely
There are two broad possibilities: access through a vehicle’s connected services, or a physical device. A phone’s Bluetooth scan cannot rule out either one.
Factory-connected services
Depending on the vehicle, service, and account, connected-car systems may expose location, speed, driving habits, or remote controls. A co-owner, former user, family-plan member, or person with app credentials may retain access.
- Review vehicle-app users and authorized drivers.
- From a safer device, secure the vehicle account and its email; ask the manufacturer or dealer how to remove former users and reset telematics access.
- Review roadside-assistance, insurance telematics, paired phones, saved destinations, garage-door integrations, and vehicle Wi-Fi accounts.
- Ask about carrier location services if a shared mobile account may be involved.
Physical trackers
A device may be wired into a vehicle, connected to its diagnostic port, attached underneath, or placed in a compartment. Rather than relying on an exhaustive DIY search or a consumer “bug detector,” ask a qualified mechanic or law enforcement officer to inspect the vehicle if a physical device is suspected. A tracker may transmit intermittently or use cellular networks, so generic detection gadgets cannot guarantee that a car is clear.
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- SLEEK, SIMPLE, RELIABLE – Birdie’s modern design makes it effortless to use in any situation. Just pull the top ring to activate the alarm, and reinsert the pin to deactivate. This personal safety device is reusable, ensuring you always have protection on hand. Birdie is a long-lasting safety companion that’s always ready when you are.
- PROTECTION ANYTIME, ANYWHERE – Whether you’re heading out for a morning jog, walking your dog at night, navigating a busy campus, or traveling solo, Birdie is the perfect safety accessory. Compact and lightweight, it easily attaches to your keychain or bag, ensuring you feel confident and secure wherever life takes you—day or night, near or far.
- EMPOWERING & THOUGHTFUL GIFT – Birdie is more than just a safety alarm—it’s a symbol of empowerment. Give the gift of confidence and security to the women in your life, from daughters and mothers to friends, colleagues, and students. Thoughtfully designed for everyday safety, Birdie makes a meaningful and practical gift for any occasion.
- BUILT TO LAST, GIVING BACK – Every Birdie alarm is rigorously hand-tested to ensure durability and reliability when you need it most. We’re committed to making a difference—a percentage of She’s Birdie’s profits support partner organizations dedicated to women’s safety, shelter, and health. When you choose Birdie, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re helping create a safer world for women everywhere.
If you find a device, prioritize safety and preserve identifying information if possible. Avoid disabling or removing it before considering whether doing so could alert someone or destroy useful evidence. Police resources and inspection practices vary; if law enforcement cannot or will not inspect the car, NNEDV’s connected-car guidance suggests considering a mechanic or private investigator with relevant experience (NNEDV: connected cars).
Keep a factual incident log
A contemporaneous record can help you explain a pattern to police, an advocate, or a court. It should never take priority over immediate safety. Record observable facts rather than conclusions:
- Date, exact time, and location.
- What happened, in specific words: for example, “blue sedan parked outside the office from 5:10 to 5:40,” rather than “they stalked me.”
- Descriptions of the person, vehicle, device, message, or account; direction of travel if relevant.
- Witnesses and how to contact them.
- Screenshots, voicemails, emails, photographs, video, tracker IDs, alert maps, and security notices.
- Police report or incident number, if any.
- Effects on children, work, school, or others; threats, property damage, forced entry, escalation, or weapons.
Keep original files where possible and store a backup somewhere the suspected person cannot access. Avoid editing screenshots in ways that remove dates or identifying details. See NNEDV’s documentation tips and SPARC’s stalking safety guidance.
When to call police or an advocate
Call 911 for immediate danger—for example, a threat, attempted entry, weapon, attempted vehicle stop, or credible imminent threat of assault or other harm. The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women advises calling 911 in immediate danger and contacting local police about stalking incidents or threats (DOJ guidance).
For a non-emergency pattern, contact local law enforcement to ask how to report and preserve evidence. Bring your incident log and original files if safe. Ask for a report or incident number. Reporting options, investigations, and protective-order eligibility vary by state and the facts; no legal order can guarantee someone’s behavior or immediate physical safety.
Contact a victim-services or domestic-violence advocate if a current or former partner may be involved, a technical change might trigger retaliation, or you need help with a safety plan, shelter, relocation, legal information, or court support. The Office for Victims of Crime lists VictimConnect at 855-484-2846 by phone or text, with online chat through VictimConnect. The National Domestic Violence Hotline lists 800-799-SAFE (7233); check its site for current contact options and availability (The Hotline). RAINN and NNEDV also provide safety-planning resources. If calling could be monitored, use a safer device.
Quick Recap
Before you make a change
- Don’t go home to test a suspected follower, confront them, or take risky driving maneuvers.
- Move to a staffed public place and call 911 if danger is immediate.
- Use a safer device for sensitive communications if your phone may be monitored.
- Save alert details and evidence before disabling a tracker or changing an account, if safe.
- Document repeated incidents factually and keep a secure backup.
- Talk with an advocate before conspicuous technology changes when an abusive partner may be involved.
- Use a qualified mechanic or relevant professional for a suspected vehicle device; no phone scan or consumer gadget can rule out all surveillance.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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