PanicStation.org
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us Personal safety & immediate danger unfamiliar vehicle parked nearby • suspicious car outside house • strange van parked outside • car repeatedly parked odd hours • unknown vehicle watching me • vehicle loitering near home • vehicle loitering near workplace • parked car outside at night • repeated parking near my address • being followed to work maybe • possible stalking by car • someone sitting in car outside • car idling near my home • unknown plates outside home • suspicious vehicle near office • car parked across the street • car keeps returning same spot • unfamiliar vehicle near driveway • suspicious vehicle in parking lot • vehicle near home at odd times

What to do if…
you notice an unfamiliar vehicle repeatedly parked near your home or workplace at odd times

Short answer

Create a safe pause (indoors or in a staffed/public place) and don’t approach the vehicle. If you feel unsafe or believe a crime is happening, call 911; otherwise contact your local police non-emergency line with a clear description and the repeat pattern.

Do not do these things

  • Do not walk up to the vehicle, knock on the window, or try to “see who it is”.
  • Do not block the vehicle in, follow it, or try to “prove” anything by investigating.
  • Do not introduce a weapon or make threats—back away, get to safety, and contact help.
  • Do not post the license plate or photos publicly (it can increase risk and complicate reporting).
  • Do not make sudden, dramatic routine changes in a panic; make small, practical safety adjustments instead.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause. Go indoors, lock doors, and keep distance. If you’re at work, move to reception/security or a busy area rather than staying outside or alone.
  2. Tell a real person nearby.
    • Home: alert someone you live with, or call/text a friend and stay connected.
    • Apartment/building: notify building management/concierge so they can note the vehicle and watch access points.
    • Work: notify your manager, building security, or front desk and ask them to watch entrances and parking areas.
  3. Write down the key details (without getting close). Record:
    • exact location, dates/times, how long it stayed, and what changed over time
    • make/model/color, license plate, distinguishing marks
    • what you observed (watching doors, photographing, following people, trying to talk to staff) If safe, take a photo/video from indoors or from a distance in a well-populated area.
  4. Use existing systems at home/work to “lock in” evidence without escalating.
    • Save doorbell/camera clips before they overwrite; note the exact timestamps.
    • At work, ask security to keep an incident/visitor log entry with the plate and to check whether it matches any expected contractors, deliveries, or permitted parking.
  5. Choose the right contact route based on immediate risk.
    • Call 911 if you feel in immediate danger, someone is approaching you, trying doors, making threats, following you, or you believe a crime is in progress.
    • Otherwise, contact your local police non-emergency number and report the repeated pattern and your recorded details. This varies by city/county—your local police or city website will list the correct number and options (phone/online).
  6. Ask for a call/report number and keep one running timeline. Each new sighting is easier to act on when it’s tied to an existing report.
  7. Make small safety changes for the next day (low drama, high impact).
    • Don’t walk to/from your car alone if you can avoid it (ask a coworker, security escort, or friend).
    • Use well-lit, busier routes/entrances and park near lights/cameras rather than isolated spots.
    • Have your phone ready before you step outside; avoid being distracted while walking.
  8. If it feels targeted at you, broaden awareness carefully. Tell one trusted neighbor/coworker what the vehicle looks like and ask them to notify you (and call police if needed), not to confront.
  9. If you think it could relate to a wider public-safety threat, still report locally first. In an emergency call 911; otherwise notify local law enforcement. If you want to submit an additional tip about serious crimes, you can also use the FBI’s tip resources.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify the driver or owner right now.
  • You do not need to confront anyone or try to gather “proof”.
  • You do not need to buy security gear immediately; saving existing footage and reporting a repeat pattern is more important today.
  • You do not need to decide what this “means” yet—focus on safety and documentation.

Important reassurance

It’s reasonable to feel unsettled by a repeated, odd-hours pattern near places you rely on. Many situations turn out to be harmless, but taking calm steps—distance, documentation, and appropriate reporting—reduces risk without overreacting.

Scope note

These are first steps only. If the pattern continues, you may need local, situation-specific guidance from law enforcement, workplace security, or a victim support service.

Important note

This guide is general information for immediate safety and decision support, not legal advice. If you believe you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

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