Being followed is a scary feeling when you don’t know the person or the intentions. Whether it be by foot or by car, you need to take it seriously whenever you feel threatened. Always trust your gut instinct, and take any sense of threat seriously. This is true if you’re being followed by a possible police officer too. While you never want to disobey the law, criminals sometimes impersonate police officers to take advantage of civilians.

Don’t refuse to pull over if an apparent police car is flagging you, but take precautions if something doesn’t feel right.

On Foot

If you think you’re being followed on foot, use your cellphone to call a friend or family member as you continue walking to report where you are and what is happening. If you feel seriously threatened, such as if you’re being followed by a group at night, call the police department directly and report your location so a unit can respond to your area. Don’t feel embarrassed by it. It’s the job of the police department to investigate these types of situations and disturbances. Their presence on the scene helps to prevent potentially dangerous situations from occurring.

Seek out a public location as well as you continue walking. If you’re in a secluded area, head towards a main road or an area where people are more likely to be. You want as many witnesses around as possible to help avoid any confrontations.

If the situation escalates to where a threat seems imminent, use your voice and scream for help.

Run away if you have to. If the person following you has a weapon, your chances of survival are better to attempt escape then they are if you’re taken by your follower to another location.

In a Car

Start making a series of right or left turns if you think a car is following you while you're driving. The car behind you is not likely to make a complete circle behind you unless you are actually being followed. Never drive home if a suspicious car is behind you. You don’t want to lead someone back to your house. Instead, drive to the nearest police station. Call the police on the way if your follower starts getting aggressive or otherwise escalating the sense of danger.

If you are on the freeway when you notice a suspicious vehicle tailing you, exit the freeway as soon as you can safely. Travel a few miles, and then get back onto the freeway in the same direction. If the same car is still following you, call the police or use your GPS (if you have one) to locate the nearest police station.

If a car tries to pull you over by using police lights and you believe the vehicle is not a real police car, call the police immediately to report the situation. Drive to a public parking lot with a lot of light and pull over there if a police station is not nearby. Drive slowly in this circumstance, and follow all traffic laws.

If you are on foot and being followed by a vehicle, go somewhere the vehicle cannot follow, such as into a building or a public park. Always seek out areas with lots of people and potential witnesses. Call the police as soon as you feel in danger.

Always be as aware as possible of your surroundings. Your own ability to recognize potential threats early remains one of your best tools of self-defense. By staying aware, you take away the advantage of surprise. Remain calm, seek escape routes and notify the authorities if you need to. This minimizes the risk to you, and helps you escape a potentially scary situation unharmed.