Having your address, phone number or private details posted online can be frightening and dangerous. Several tools exist to reduce exposure, report abuse and seek legal remedies, though no single step solves everything.
Immediate steps
- If you feel physically unsafe, contact local police and consider safety planning.
- Take screenshots with dates and URLs of the content and messages before they disappear.
- Report the content to the platform using its harassment and privacy tools.
- Secure your accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
- Limit public profile information and location sharing.
Removing information
- Request removal from platforms and websites hosting the content.
- Ask search engines to remove results with personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and certain sensitive data, under their policies.
- Use data broker opt-out processes, and consider removal services if time is limited.
- Check state privacy laws that may give rights to delete data.
- Monitor regularly, since information can reappear.
Legal options
- Police reports for threats, stalking or harassment.
- Protective or restraining orders in appropriate cases.
- Civil claims such as harassment, privacy torts or defamation in some situations.
- State laws against doxxing, cyberstalking and nonconsensual intimate images.
- Court orders to unmask anonymous posters, which can be complex and costly.
Preserving evidence for law enforcement
Keep original messages, headers where possible and a log of incidents. Do not engage with the harasser. Evidence helps police and lawyers evaluate charges and court orders. See our guide to harassment and stalking laws.
Working with workplaces and schools
If harassment spills into your job or school, notify trusted contacts, HR or administrators, and ask for support such as security measures. Employers and schools may have duties to respond.
Protecting your privacy going forward
Use unique passwords, review privacy settings, use a separate email for sensitive accounts, freeze your credit if data was exposed and be careful sharing personal details. See our guides on data breaches and identity theft.
Support
Online harassment can cause anxiety and fear. Seek support from trusted people, counselors and organizations that help victims. Do not blame yourself for being targeted.
Real-life scenarios
- A victim documents doxxing posts and reports them to the platform and police.
- A person uses data broker opt-outs and a search engine removal request to reduce exposure.
- A target seeks a protective order after repeated threats.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Engaging with harassers.
- Not saving evidence before reporting.
- Skipping account security.
- Assuming one removal request is enough.
- Ignoring threats to safety.
- Paying scammers who offer removal.
Questions to ask a professional
- Is there a threat requiring police involvement?
- Which platforms and sites hold the information?
- What state laws apply?
- Is a protective order appropriate?
- Can anonymous posters be identified?
A practical action plan
- Prioritize safety.
- Document the content.
- Report and request removal.
- Lock down accounts and privacy.
- Seek police or legal help if needed.
Terms you may hear
- Doxxing: publishing private information to harass.
- Cyberstalking: repeated online harassment causing fear.
- Data broker: a company that sells personal data.
- Opt-out: a request to remove your information.
- Protective order: a court order limiting contact.
Frequently asked questions
Is doxxing illegal?
Many states have laws against it or related harassment and stalking.
Can I get my address removed from Google?
Search engines have removal request processes for certain personal data.
Do data broker opt-outs work?
They help but must be repeated and monitored.
Can I find out who posted anonymously?
Sometimes through a court order, which can be complex.
Should I call the police?
Yes if you feel threatened or unsafe.