If someone is threatening, harassing, and intimidating you online, you might have a cyberstalker on your hands.Cyberstalkers might make you fear for your life, because they won't leave you alone.If you have an online stalker, you are not alone.8% of Americans say they have been followed online at some point in their life.If you want to get rid of someone on your own, you can lock down your social media and other accounts.If the problem doesn't go away, call the police.
Step 1: Don't contact the person.
You encourage them to continue if you reply to their messages.It can be difficult to ignore repeated messages, but it might make the person leave you alone.The person can continue to follow you even if you tell them to leave.They don't need you to tell them that their messages are not good.It is possible that the messages will increase in intensity when you ignore them.The person is trying to get you to respond.They want your attention.Don't give it to them.
Step 2: Don't talk to your friends and family about your stalker.
It's a good idea to tell everyone you know about your cyberstalker so they don't give the person information that they could use to harm you.Be specific about what the person is doing and give as much information about their identity as possible.It's a good idea to tell them not to intervene.The person might start stalking them if they start defending you and telling them to stop.If your stalker is threatening your reputation, you might tell people at your work or school about it and let them know what's going on.It's good damage control, but it might not reverse the damage completely.
Step 3: Don't allow the person to use your email and social media accounts.
You can block a cyberstalker's account on each social media platform where you have a presence.Blocks each account separately if they have more than one account.They won't be able to see your posts after you blocked the person.They don't see your comments on other people's posts.It's possible that the person will create other accounts after you block them.It's possible to suspend your account until you take care of the cyberstalking.
Step 4: You can report defamation to social media platforms.
The platform will remove damaging posts if the person is violating the terms of service.If you have a copy of the offensive posts for your records, you should take them before you submit your report.You can start a log of the time and date of each report.If you have friends or family submitting reports, include that information in your log.
Step 5: You can increase the privacy settings on your accounts.
Review the information on your accounts very carefully and get rid of any personal information that doesn't need to be there, such as your email address or phone number.All of your information should be locked down so that you can't see it.You can make changes to the privacy settings on all the platforms if you become familiar with them.If you're not connected, log out of your accounts and search online to see what you can see.While you're tweaking your privacy settings, some platforms, such as Facebook, allow you to view your account in a different way.If you don't use any of your accounts anymore, close them out.A way for your stalker to connect with you again could be provided by them.
Step 6: You can get help from a professional.
Cyberstalking can cause a lot of stress.It is possible to move on from the experience by talking to a professional counselor.You can feel less alone if you join a support group.When you might need help pay attention to your thoughts and feelings.Therapy can help you move on if you find yourself constantly in fear that your stalker will return and cause you problems.You can find contact information for many groups and organizations at the Victims of Crime website.
Step 7: All messages and comments should be kept in records.
Take a picture of every message you get from your cyberstalker, as well as all the online content related to you.You can record the dates and times in your log.If you have blocked the person from your email, any emails they send will end up in your inbox.You can include those emails in your records if you check that frequently.
Step 8: The person is stalking you.
Although you might not know who the person is at first, cyberstalking is usually done in a way that you know them personally.You can identify them by keeping records of the user names and screen names they use.If you can get the person's address, record it.Valuable information about their location can be provided by it.If you own a website, you can connect it to a service that logs all the internet addresses that visit it.Many of the services are free.
Step 9: A report can be filed with your local law enforcement agency.
If you want to file a police report, you have to go to your local police department.Bring copies of all the emails, messages, comments, and other content from your cyberstalker with you and show them to the officer who takes your reportIf the officer asks you a question, answer it completely and honestly.Let them know if you're not sure of your cyberstalker's identity.The written report will be available when you leave the police department.It might take a couple of days for you to pick it up.
Step 10: When you have new information, follow up with your report.
Make a copy of every message the person sends you.Let the police officer who is assigned to your case know that the person is harassing you again.This helps create a paper trail.You don't want to become a stalker yourself.Keep the police informed that the person is harassing you.If you don't hear from the officer assigned to your case, you have to call every couple of weeks to find out.
Step 11: You can connect with a victims advocate.
Ask the police officer about the victims' advocates.They'll be able to connect you with one.You can get help from victims' advocates to stay safe and come up with a plan to get your cyberstalker to leave you alone.Different states have different law.In some states, cyberstalking is not a crime.The victims' advocate might know of other laws that would apply to your situation.The victims' advocate can help you gather and organize your evidence.
Step 12: You can get a restraining order against the person.
If you know the person, you can get a restraining order against them.It doesn't hurt to try!If the judge grants you a restraining order, the person won't be able to contact you anymore.It is a crime to violate a restraining order.The person is arrested for violating the order.
Step 13: Hire an attorney who knows how to handle cyberstalking cases.
This kind of lawsuit can be traumatic.You need a lawyer on your side who understands the court system and all the ins and outs of court procedure.Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation so that you can talk to them about your situation and find out what your options are.The website of your state or local bar association is a good place to start looking for attorneys.After you answer some questions about your case, most bar associations have a free referral service that will give you the names of a few attorneys.If you win your case or your stalker pays you out of court, you won't have to pay a lawyer a dime.Don't worry about how you'll be able to pay your attorney's fees.
Step 14: If you don't know your stalker's location, you can find out his identity.
It's rare for your cyberstalker to be someone you don't know in real life, but it is possible that they're masking their identity online so that you cannot tell who they are.If you're going to take them to court, you need to reveal their true identity.Your lawyer can use investigative resources to figure out who your cyberstalker is.You need to know where your cyberstalker lives to make sure you can serve them with your lawsuit.If you can't find out where your cyberstalker lives, you will not be able to file a lawsuit against them.
Step 15: You can start your lawsuit by going over your petition with your attorney.
Your lawyer will draft a petition to file with the court.This document lays out your allegations against your cyberstalker and includes information about the money you're asking the court to award you, in addition to any other requests that you have.It's common for these petitions to include a request for an order from the judge prohibiting the person from contacting you again.Cyberstalking isn't usually what you'd want them to be sued for.Typically, these are lawsuits for intentional infliction of emotional distress, which means that the person was harassing you because they wanted you to become upset, scared, or stressed out.
Step 16: Ask the judge to issue a preliminary injunction against your cyberstalker.
It is possible to get a temporary order from the judge that stops cyberstalking until your case comes to trial.Preliminary injunctions are when a judge finds that you have enough evidence to support your claims.Unlike restraining orders, preliminary injunctions only last until the conclusion of the case on which they're based.If your cyberstalker violates the preliminary injunction, they are likely to be arrested and sent to jail.
Step 17: You have evidence of cyberstalking.
You will need to show all the internet content to prove your case.The stalking pattern is established by the intensity of the content.Take action against your cyberstalker, such as complaints to social media platforms or police reports, if you include your logs and other documents.
Step 18: You should document all of the costs associated with cyberstalking.
You are entitled to monetary damages if you win your lawsuit.The damages are meant to compensate you for the costs you incurred as a result of cyberstalking.If you want your damages approved by the court, you'll need proof of your expenses.If you started seeing a therapist as a result of cyberstalking, all of the costs could be included.You can get money for pain and suffering.The amount is based on how long the cyberstalking has been going on and how badly it has affected you and those around you.
Step 19: Prepare against your cyberstalker.
If your case goes to trial, you will be expected to testify.Since your cyberstalker will likely be in the courtroom, this can be a traumatic experience for anyone.When you take the stand, your attorney will practice with you so you know what to expect.Don't look at your cyberstalker when you're in the courtroom.Look at the judge.Look at your attorney when you're on the stand.On the day you're going to testify, it's a good idea to bring along a close friend or family member.