Table of contents
- Why is your ex-husband stalking you?
- How to find out that your ex-husband is stalking you
- 1. Sends you unwanted messages
- 2. Annoying calls
- 3. Shows up where you are for no good reason
- 4. He refuses to leave you alone
- 5. Spreading rumors or posting your personal information
- 6. Gives you gifts that you don’t want
- 7. Collects information about you
- 8. Tracking devices on your phone or car
- What to do if your ex-husband is stalking you
- 1. Notify your loved ones about this situation
- 2. Document the evidence
- 3. Contact local law enforcement
- Conclusion
Why is your ex-husband stalking you?
Sadly, stalking is an issue that many people have to deal with after a divorce or breakup. If you’re experiencing an ex-husband stalking you for the first time, you might be asking yourself, why do exes stalk? What exactly are they getting out of it? Well, there could be many reasons.
Depending on the level of stalking, your ex-spouse may want to continue communicating with you, perhaps in an effort to reconcile. However, if the stalking becomes more extreme, it’s possible your ex is monitoring your activities to keep tabs on what you do and to see if you’ve met someone else.
Whatever the case may be, stalking and harassment are unacceptable. If you’ve asked your ex to stop contacting you or noticed they’ve started following you around, you should take steps to protect yourself. Make sure you know what to do if your ex is stalking you, like reporting it immediately.
How to find out that your ex-husband is stalking you
Your ex-husband is likely stalking you if they engage in these behaviors:
- Sends you unwanted messages
- Annoying calls
- Shows up where you are for no good reason
- He refuses to leave you alone
- Spreading rumors or posting your personal information
- Gives you gifts that you don’t want
- Collects information about you
- Tracking devices on your phone or car
If this is your first time experiencing these things, you may want to convince yourself that it’s harmless and that you should just ignore it. However, remember that stalking can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation. Know what a stalker is and take appropriate steps when you encounter one to protect yourself.
1. Sends you unwanted messages
If your ex sends you messages even after you’ve ignored them or asked them not to contact you, this is a level of stalking. If there is no good reason for them to contact you, and yet they continue to do it anyway, you shouldn’t just let it slide.
2. Annoying calls
In addition to sending unwanted messages, many stalkers will bombard their victims with annoying calls. They will do this not only to try to keep in touch but also to find out what you’re up to.
3. Shows up where you are for no good reason
Although randomly bumping into an ex may mean nothing—especially if you both live in a small town where it’s difficult to avoid each other—it’s a cause for concern if your ex-spouse keeps showing up where you are. This is especially true if they have no good reason to be in that location.
4. He refuses to leave you alone
If you’ve asked your ex-husband to leave you alone and he doesn’t respect that, this is a serious breach of your privacy and security. It’s critical that you report what’s happening to local authorities at this point if you haven’t already taken that step.
5. Spreading rumors or posting your personal information
It’s also common for an ex to spread rumors about you online after a breakup. This is usually done to make themselves look better or in an effort to discourage others from wanting a relationship with you. You shouldn’t stand for this, especially if they’re also posting personal information that should be kept private.
Bear in mind that exes often use different social media accounts to protect themselves when engaging in these activities. Look out for signs your ex is using a fake account, and report it immediately if so.
6. Gives you gifts that you don’t want
In some cases, exes may start showering their victims with gifts to try to rekindle a relationship or simply to remain in contact. Although this may seem innocent at first, it’s still unacceptable if you’ve told them that you do not wish to communicate with them at all.
7. Collects information about you
Many stalkers collect and compile information about their victims for many reasons. It helps them feel more connected to you, and more worryingly, it helps them keep track of you in the future.
8. Tracking devices on your phone or car
If your ex wants to ensure that you’re not seeing someone else, they may use tracking devices on your phone, in your car, or in other personal belongings to monitor your location. This will allow them to find you whenever they like—and see who you’re with.
You may wonder, how do you know if my ex is tracking your phone? There are some clear indicators to look out for, such as your phone overheating for no reason, but the best way to tell is by running a spyware scan. Try using Clario Anti Spy to identify anything nasty on your device:
- Download Clario Anti Spy and create an account.
- Click Run deep scan.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to run your device through a fundamental spyware scan.
- If Clario Anti Spy detects any suspicious software, it will walk you through getting rid of it and securing your phone.
What to do if your ex-husband is stalking you
If you discover you’re in immediate danger from a stalker, you should call 911 right away. If you’re not under immediate threat, seek advice from helpful sources, such as the National Center for Victims of Crime. In addition, be sure to:
1. Notify your loved ones about this situation
It’s important that you don’t suffer in silence when you become the victim of a stalker. There may come a time when you’re in danger and need a loved one looking out for you. Notify people you know well and trust that your ex is stalking you, and ask them to check in when you’re out on your own.
2. Document the evidence
You may be tempted to delete unwanted messages, emails, and other communications right away, but don’t. These things are all important evidence that shows you’re the victim of a stalker, and they will help you get protection later. Keep a record of everything.
3. Contact local law enforcement
Although it may not seem serious at first, reporting a stalker to local law enforcement is vital. They will not only provide you with support, but they can also step in and put a stop to your ex’s unacceptable behaviors before they escalate.
Conclusion
No one should have to put up with stalking, whether by a random person or an ex-partner you used to be very close with. Look out for signs that someone is stalking you, which we’ve outlined above, and when necessary, take steps to protect yourself, like calling 911 if you’re in immediate danger.
If you suspect your ex-husband is using your smartphone to track you, download Clario Anti Spy. Its built-in spyware scanner weeds out hidden monitoring software that could be tracking your location, stealing your personal data, and more.