What to do if you are being followed
A Life / / December 19, 2019
Even if you are a law-abiding citizen, for you still can follow. Do not panic and try to deceive the pursuers.
You go to your favorite coffee shop and notice the queue behind a guy in a green baseball cap. And then forget about it. During a lunch break at a cafe, you notice it again. The guy sitting a few tables away from you. "Wow, what a coincidence. A small world "- you think.
But when you see him that night, sitting at the wheel of a car in a parking lot near your sports club, heart inside freezes. You begin to suspect that you are being followed.
Why is this happening? The answer is obvious if there is a reason. For example, you have committed some crime, a malicious debtor or running a spy. But watch out for you can, even if you are peaceful and law-abiding citizen.
Persecutor can become unbalanced passer, which you inadvertently touched on the subway, your former friends (the former), an obsessed fan from the last party, a thief who decided to profit.
How do you know that you are being followed
Professionals recommend to follow a simple rule:
- Once - it was an accident.
- Twice - coincidence.
- Three times - the action of the enemy.
If you see the same man in three different locations, most likely, it is really under surveillance. To verify this accurately observe what is happening around. Perhaps someone looks at you more and holds look longer than it is permissible for a passerby.
Listen to their intuition. Sense of the potential danger, as a rule, it sharpens.
If you are behind the wheel
- If you drive around the city and saw the same car, make four laps in one quarter. If the tail had not unhooked, you definitely pursue.
- If you are on the freeway, turn from it to the next corner, and then go back to the track. Chaser will be forced to do the same.
- You can regroup in the right lane, and significantly reduce the speed. Cars that go behind, overtake you. And if someone repeats your maneuver, it is an occasion to reflect.
If you go on foot
- change your habits. If every day goes on a certain schedule, it is difficult to find, follow you or not. Perhaps you just meet people with similar habits. Try it in the morning instead of coffee go to the store. Change time or dinner place, go to the gym in an unusual time. And note whether your potential pursuers appear.
- Change the pace of walking. If you accelerate or decelerate sharply, the stalker will do the same. A good way to recognize him in the crowd.
- Stop and turn sharply. Try to play the play: pretend that you want to do something. For example, tie a shoelace, to test your phone or see someone in the crowd behind. Look closely at the pursuer. Most probably he will give himself: to act unnaturally, because you will find him by surprise.
- Change the direction of movement. Stay as if you forgot something, turn around 180 degrees and go back. Pursuer will have to go after you.
What to do if you notice shadowing
- Do not go back home. Otherwise, you will discover information about where you live. Perhaps your pursuers may not know about it. You can return home only after you have verified that the tail is no more.
- Stay in busy and well-lit places. If you are traveling by car, do not turn on the desert road. If you're going on foot, avoid side streets, where there is nobody. If you notice shadowing in the store, try to get to his car in the parking lot, along with other buyers.
- Maneuver, if you're behind the wheel. This is best done on a busy road with a lot of congresses and comfortable curbs to stop. Rebuild, change the speed, stand on the sidelines - your job is to make sure that the pursuer drove further down the road. And in the meantime you will be able to dive into the first turn of the right.
- Gather as much information. Write down the make and license plate number of the pursuer, learn how it looks, what you will wear, what are the distinguishing marks.
- Use public transportation. Try to sit in a subway car or bus at the last moment.
- Surprise your pursuer. One of the tactics that the advice of professionals, - to go to the pursuer and ask, "Can I you do to help? "or" Do you need something from me? "Often this causes aggressive behavior retreat. But do it better in crowded places.
- Call the police. If you feel a threat to health and life, report it to the police on the phone. Or go themselves in the nearest police station, please refer to the traffic police patrol. Give all the information gathered and ask for help.
- Do not mark your location on social networks. This is a great help for your persecutors.
see also
- Insecure communication: 9 ways to listen to your phone →
- Guide for the paranoid: how to avoid surveillance and data theft →
- How to protect yourself: techniques of special services →