Monday, June 9, 2025

What To Do If You Are Being Cyber Stalked - How To Deal With Cyberstalking

Steps to Take if You Are Being Cyber Stalked

Cyberstalking involves the use of technology (most often, the Internet!) to make someone else afraid or concerned about their safety. Generally speaking, this conduct is threatening or otherwise fear-inducing, involves an invasion of a person’s relative right to privacy, and manifests in repeated actions over time. Most of the time, those who cyberstalk use social media, Internet databases, search engines, and other online resources to intimidate, follow, and cause anxiety or terror to others.

Surprisingly, cyberstalking rarely occurs by a stranger (although we do hear about those cases when they involve celebrities and rabid fans), and most often is carried out by a person the target knows intimately or professionally.

What You Can Do:


1. If You're in Immediate Danger

  • Call 911 If you are being threatened, stalked in person, or feel unsafe at any time, do not wait. Contact law enforcement immediately.

2. Non-Emergency Assistance

  • Dial 311: Local city services can connect you to victim advocacy centers, legal aid, and other support programs.

  • Victim Connect Resource Center (U.S.):
    Phone: 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
    Website: https://victimconnect.org
    Provides confidential support and connects victims with local services.


Secure Yourself Digitally

  1. Preserve Evidence
    • Take screenshots of harassing messages, emails, posts, DMs, and caller logs.
    • Save URLs and timestamps.
    • Keep a harassment log with dates, platforms, user handles/usernames, and other details.

  2. Update Your Security
    • Change passwords for all accounts (use a password manager).
    • Enable two-factor authentication on any/all accounts that accept it.
    • Run antivirus/anti-malware scans on any/all computers, laptops, phones, tablets, etc.
      *We use and recommend Malwarebytes Antimalware for PC/Mac, Computers & Mobile!
    • Review account activity logs (especially Google, Facebook, Apple ID, etc.).
    • Lock down your social media privacy settings.

Legal and Government Reporting Resources

  1. Report to the Platform
  2. File an Official Report

  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
    https://www.ic3.gov
    For reporting cyberstalking, online threats, hacking, and digital impersonation.

  • U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
    https://www.cisa.gov
    Offers public cybersecurity alerts and resources, especially if infrastructure or devices are compromised.

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    https://www.identitytheft.gov
    If identity theft is involved, you can file a report and begin a recovery plan.

  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
    https://report.cybertip.org
    For threats, harassment, or exploitation involving minors.


Advocacy and Identity Theft Resources

  1. Identity Theft Resource Center
    https://www.idtheftcenter.org
    Free help with identity theft recovery, breach alerts, and consumer education.

  2. Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
    https://www.eff.org
    Privacy, surveillance, and digital rights advocacy. Resources on protecting yourself online.

  3. Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
    https://www.cybercivilrights.org
    Focuses on victims of non-consensual image sharing ("revenge porn") and offers a crisis helpline: 1-844-878-2274


Phone-Related Harassment

If harassment is occurring via phone:

  • Contact your carrier to block numbers and potentially change your number.

  • Use call-blocking apps such as Hiya, Truecaller, or Nomorobo.

  • Consider a service like Google Voice for a buffer between your real number and public-facing activity.


Legal Aid & Legal Assistance

  • WomensLaw.org: Legal information and support, especially in cases involving domestic abuse or stalking.

  • National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
    https://www.techsafety.org
    Focuses on tech-enabled abuse; provides safety toolkits and device privacy guidance.

  • Local Legal Aid Services: Many cities have nonprofits offering free legal help.
    Below are some Local Legal Aid Services for my home area of Washington & Oregon.

Washington State - Legal Aid Services

  1. Northwest Justice Project (NJP)

    Statewide | 🖥️ nwjustice.org
    CLEAR Hotline: 1-888-201-1014 (Weekdays, 9:15am – 12:15pm)
    NJP offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals on civil issues such as harassment, domestic violence, identity theft, and more.

  2. Columbia Legal Services
    Offices in Seattle, Olympia, Yakima, Wenatchee & Kennewick
    columbialegal.org
    Focuses on systemic legal advocacy and may refer individuals in need of protection from digital or personal abuse.

  3. King County Bar Association – Neighborhood Legal Clinics
    King County (Seattle Area)
    kcba.org/Neighborhood-Legal-Clinics
    Provides free, limited legal advice through volunteer attorneys. Great for help understanding protection orders and your rights.

  4. Local Protection Order Advocacy
    Each Washington county offers assistance with filing protection orders related to stalking or harassment.
    Clark County WA Example: clark.wa.gov/district-court/protection-orders

Oregon State - Legal Aid Services

  1. Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO)
    Statewide | 🖥️ lasoregon.org
    Provides free legal help on issues including cyberstalking, restraining orders, privacy violations, and more.

  2. Oregon Law Center (OLC)
    Multiple Locations | 🖥️ oregonlawcenter.org
    Works alongside LASO to serve low-income individuals. Covers harassment, housing, privacy, and civil protection matters.

  3. Oregon State Bar – Lawyer Referral & Modest Means Program
    Statewide | 🖥️ osbar.org/public/ris
    1-800-452-7636
    Offers low-cost legal help through referred attorneys for people who may not qualify for free services but still need affordable assistance.

  4. Call to Safety (formerly Portland Women’s Crisis Line)
    Portland Metro Area | 🖥️ calltosafety.org
    1-888-235-5333
    Provides support for survivors of domestic and digital violence. Offers referrals to legal advocates for restraining orders and harassment protections.

💬 Tip for our Readers: Many legal aid organizations can connect you with advocates trained in cyberstalking cases—don’t hesitate to ask specifically about online harassment, tech abuse, or identity protection.

 

Final Tips:

Do Not Engage With a Harasser!!

Tell Someone You Trust!! 

You don’t need to go through this alone.

Take Your Time, and See Things Through!
Safety planning and execution is a process, not an instant fix.


Other/Further Resources:




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