Wondering what to do if someone is following you? Move toward a busy, well-lit place, go inside an open business, and tell a staff member what is happening. If you feel in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number now; you do not need to complete the steps below first.
If It's Happening Now: The Steps in Order
- Change direction toward a busier area. Cross the street at a safe crossing and notice whether the person changes direction too, without taking an isolated detour.
- Head toward light and people. Choose a busy street or an open business where you can approach someone for help.
- Go inside somewhere staffed. Look for an open pharmacy, restaurant, or hotel with someone at reception, rather than an empty entrance.
- Tell a staff member what's happening. Say, "I think someone is following me. Can I stay here while I call for help?"
- Call someone you trust and share your location. Give the street, business name, or a nearby landmark, and ask them to stay on the line.
- Contact emergency services if you feel in danger. Call 911 or ask someone nearby to call for you; a silent alert to personal contacts is not the same as reaching emergency services.
- Don't go home while you think you're being followed. Stay where help is available and arrange support for leaving, rather than leading the person to your address.
The short answer
Get somewhere with other people, tell someone what you've noticed, and ask for help. Don't confront the person or lead them home. If you believe you're in immediate danger, call 911. You don't need to prove that someone is following you before taking steps to protect yourself.
If you cannot safely speak, text-to-911 may be available in your area in the US. It is not available everywhere. A silent message to a friend can also ask for support, but it does not replace contacting emergency services when you need an urgent response.
How to Tell If Someone Is Following You
Someone walking behind you may simply be heading in the same direction. That uncertainty can be unsettling, especially when you're alone. Rather than trying to work out their intentions, pay attention to what they do while you move toward a place where help is available.
Cross the street safely or change your route along a busy road. Notice whether the person does the same, continues behind you after several turns, or waits nearby when you enter a shop. These observations can help you explain your concern, but no set number of turns proves that someone is following you.
The Fremont Police Department's personal safety guidance recommends crossing the street, entering an open store, or changing your route when someone's behavior concerns you. Don't keep walking around to test a suspicion if you already feel unsafe. You can go inside and ask for help without being certain.
On Foot: What Each Step Means
If you're being followed while walking, it's understandable to focus on how to lose someone following you. Focus on reaching a safe place where you can get help, rather than trying to outmaneuver the person.
Look for people as well as lighting. A bright but empty parking lot may leave you with no one to approach. An open restaurant, a busy shop, or a staffed reception gives you somewhere to ask for help. West Midlands Police advises moving to a busy place if you think you're being followed.
Go to a person, not just through a doorway. An empty lobby doesn't offer the same support as a counter with someone behind it. Approach an employee and explain what happened. You can ask to wait near them, have security called, or use a phone. Be specific about what you need rather than hoping someone notices.
Make the call useful. Tell the person you're calling where you are, what you've noticed, and where you're heading. For example: "I'm at the pharmacy on Grand Street. Someone followed me here. Can you stay on the phone?" Speak as openly as feels safe; you don't need to make an announcement to the person behind you.
Move toward help at a pace that fits the situation. Walking quickly toward an open business gives you a clear destination. If running would help you escape an immediate threat, you don't need to hold back to appear calm. Avoid heading into an isolated area simply to put distance between you and the person.
If this began as a conversation you couldn't end, our guide to exiting unwanted conversations in public covers de-escalation: keeping an interaction calm while making your boundaries clear.
If Someone Is Following You in a Car
If you think you're being followed while driving, keep your attention on the road and don't drive home. The UCLA Police Department recommends driving to a public place or police station when you suspect another vehicle is following you.
- Keep your doors locked. Stay in the car rather than getting out to confront the other driver or stopping on a quiet road.
- Don't drive home. Head somewhere you can get help without revealing where you live. Avoid pulling into your driveway to see what the other driver does.
- Choose a busy, staffed destination. An open police station or busy gas station may give you access to help. A well-lit but empty parking lot is not the same as a place with staff present.
- Change your route only when it's safe. Notice whether the car remains behind you after ordinary turns, but don't speed, make sudden maneuvers, or take an isolated detour to test it.
- Call 911 hands-free if you feel in danger. Give your road, direction of travel, and the vehicle description or plate only if you can observe it safely. Don't try to get closer for a better look.
- Wait for help rather than trying to outrun the car. Follow the dispatcher's directions if you've called. Once you reach a staffed location, arrange help before deciding how to continue your journey.
Loud Alarm or Silent Alert: Which One Helps Here?
A loud personal alarm and a silent alert do different jobs. A siren draws attention nearby. A silent alarm with live location sharing lets chosen contacts know where you are without sounding a siren. The useful choice depends on whether you want to attract attention or contact someone discreetly. Neither guarantees that help will arrive immediately.
| Loud alarm | Silent location alert | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Sounds an alarm to draw attention | Sends an alert with your live location to chosen contacts |
| Who it reaches | People close enough to hear it | The contacts you have selected |
| When it may help | When you want people nearby to notice you need help | When you want to notify someone without sounding an alarm |
| What to keep in mind | A siren alone does not contact emergency services or guarantee a response | Your contacts need to receive the alert, notice it, and be able to respond |
The Shakti safety necklace offers both options. One press sends a silent alert with live location to your chosen contacts. Two presses also connect you to live emergency support, with an audible alarm depending on your settings. Through ResQ's Noonlight partnership, agents can coordinate emergency dispatch in the US. The necklace needs to stay connected to your phone by Bluetooth, and the phone needs cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity to send alerts. Use the setup guide to configure and test it in advance.
A single-press contact alert does not connect you to a monitoring agent. Our guide to emergency call centers and 911 explains that distinction and how an agent can contact emergency services on your behalf. For devices that focus on drawing attention nearby, see our guide to the best personal alarms for women.
For preparation beyond this situation, our guides to running alone and solo female travel in India cover planning for a run or a trip somewhere unfamiliar.
Afterwards: Reporting and Planning Ahead
Once you're somewhere safe, write down what you remember: the time, location, direction of travel, clothing, and any distinctive details about the person or vehicle. Record only what you noticed; you don't need a complete description. You can contact police to discuss reporting the incident, particularly if there were threats or it has happened before.
If it happened near your home, workplace, or campus, consider telling building management or security. The VictimConnect Resource Center can also talk through support and referral options. You don't have to decide on every next step immediately.
Choose any changes to your routine based on what feels appropriate for you. That might mean taking a different route, walking with someone, changing your travel time, or arranging a check-in with a friend. There's no obligation to resume the same walk before you feel ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do if you think someone is following you?
Move toward a busy, well-lit place and go inside an open business. Tell a staff member what you've noticed, contact someone you trust, and don't head home while you still feel unsafe. If you believe you're in immediate danger, call 911 without waiting to confirm the person's intentions.
How do you know if someone is following you?
You may notice that someone stays behind you after you cross the street or change direction, or waits near a business you've entered. Those observations can be concerning, but they don't prove intent. You can move somewhere staffed and ask for help without establishing exactly why the person is there.
What do you do if someone follows you in a car?
Keep your doors locked, don't drive home, and head toward an open police station or another busy, staffed place. If you feel in danger, call 911 hands-free and describe your location and direction of travel. Don't stop to confront the other driver or take risks to read their plate.
Should you run if someone is following you?
Choose the movement that helps you reach safety. Walking quickly toward an open business may be appropriate, but running may be necessary to escape an immediate threat. Focus on reaching people who can help rather than heading into an isolated area. You don't need to appear calm for someone else's benefit.
Should you call 911 if someone is following you?
Call 911 if you believe you're in immediate danger or need urgent police assistance. Explain what you've noticed and where you are. If you cannot safely speak, text-to-911 may be an option in parts of the US where it is available. An alert to personal contacts is not a substitute for emergency assistance.
Does a personal alarm help if someone is following you?
A loud alarm may draw attention from people nearby, but it doesn't guarantee that someone will respond. A silent location alert can notify chosen contacts without a siren. Check what your device actually does: sounding an alarm, messaging contacts, and reaching a live agent are separate functions.
You don't need to know exactly why someone is behind you before changing your route or asking for help. Focus on the next practical step: reach a staffed place, explain what you've noticed, and contact someone who can support you. Don't lead the person home, and don't delay an emergency call to gather proof. Once you're safe, give yourself time to decide what comes next, whether that's reporting the incident, arranging company for the journey home, or changing your plans. Taking a concern seriously is reasonable, even when you never find out what the other person's intentions were.
One press of the Shakti sends a silent alert with your live location to chosen contacts. Two presses connect you to live emergency support, with sound controlled by your settings. A connected phone and cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity are required.