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us Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
an unfamiliar vehicle repeatedly circles, parks near, or watches your home or workplace

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Move inside or to a locked, staffed, or otherwise secure place, and do not approach the vehicle. Call 911 if anyone appears to be in immediate danger, the vehicle is blocking or following someone, or an occupant is trying to enter the property.

Do not do these things

  • Do not confront or question the driver or occupants.
  • Do not leave a secure place to obtain a photograph, license plate, or closer look.
  • Do not follow, block, surround, touch, or damage the vehicle.
  • Do not use unsafe driving or excessive speed if the vehicle follows you.
  • Do not publicly post accusations or identifying details while the situation is unclear.
  • Do not assume you know who is inside or why the vehicle is there.
  • Do not delete relevant footage, photographs, messages, or notes.

What to do now

  1. Go inside or move to a staffed, well-lit, secure location. Lock accessible doors and keep children or other vulnerable people away from entrances, windows, and parking areas.

  2. Call 911 if there is an immediate threat. Give your location and describe what you can directly observe without guessing at the occupants’ intentions.

  3. For behavior that is concerning but not an immediate emergency, use a verified non-emergency contact for the local law enforcement agency where it is happening. Reporting options vary by area.

  4. From a safe position, note the time, location, direction of travel, vehicle color and type, distinctive markings or damage, and any license plate details already visible. Record what the vehicle and occupants actually did and how often they returned.

  5. Photograph or record the vehicle only from a secure place and only when doing so will not attract attention or increase the danger. Save relevant doorbell, building, parking-lot, or security-camera footage before it may be overwritten.

  6. At work, notify security, reception, a supervisor, or another responsible staff member. Ask them not to give unfamiliar callers or visitors information about your schedule, contact details, location, or vehicle.

  7. Tell a trusted person nearby what is happening. Ask them not to confront the occupants, and agree on who will contact emergency services if the situation changes.

  8. If the vehicle starts following you while you are driving, call 911 if you can do so safely and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Drive normally, avoid stopping somewhere isolated, and do not go home unless directed to do so.

  9. If the behavior repeats, keep a simple incident log with dates, times, locations, witnesses, observable conduct, saved files, and any police report numbers.

  10. If the pattern is causing you to fear for your safety or may involve stalking or harassment, contact VictimConnect or a local victim-services provider from a place where you are physically safe.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the driver, determine their motive, decide whether the behavior legally qualifies as stalking, make a public accusation, move home, leave your job, or make another major decision now. Focus first on distance, immediate safety, factual observations, and appropriate reporting.

Important reassurance

An unfamiliar parked vehicle may have an ordinary explanation, but repeated circling, watching, following, or returning is reasonable to take seriously. You can seek help based on the behavior you observed without proving what the occupants intended.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, reporting, and documentation steps only. Later decisions about safety planning, workplace arrangements, police reports, protective orders, housing, or legal options may require help from a victim advocate, attorney, law enforcement agency, or another qualified professional.

Important note

This is general safety information, not legal, investigative, security, or other professional advice. Emergency and non-emergency procedures vary by location; follow instructions from local emergency dispatchers and authorities.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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