Looking for advice?

[Anonymous]

Hello

So, about two years ago i met somebody on a particular app and we became friends (pen pals to be more precise), we wrote to each other on and off and all was well.
Fast forward a year later we exchanged contacts and started talking more regularly (i made sure to be clear from the get go that i was looking for nothing but a friendship), at first it was fine but i got off vibes from the guy and decided to cut ties after two months and that's when weird things started popping up, I went back to the app where we originally met and started comparing letters from different people that tried contacting me and they all had the same style of writing as this guy, the same topics, even the same grammatical errors.
and the thing is that these letters went back as far back to when we originally met.
I tried opening another account but somehow he was able to find me on there and contacted me (it still boggles me til this day).
I became paranoid that this person could be stalking my phone and has been watching my every move w ana lakhbar. (He only has one of my phone numbers so I don't know how that could happen).

The point is this situation has been irritating me for months now and when yes i do try to convince myself that i'm just too anxious and it's my over thinking playing mind games on me, whenever i get a friend or follow request i suspect it being him.

Any advice?

[SueShe]

He should not be able to trace your actual address with just your phone number alone unless he has a number of forensic tools that would allow to find you solely with your telephone number.

The important though is to know whether you gave him your physical address or any other piece of information that would lead him to be able to locate you. If you did give him a zip code, a street or even a landline number, then you made everything very simple for him to find you.

Otherwise, the only thing you risk is spamming/trolling and of course, stalking with all the consequences that it implies.

Your best option would be to sever all social media, to change your phone number and to stay put for a few months in the hope that the dust settles.

[Asker]

Thank you for your input i appreciate the explanation

[EmmaMary]

New phone and number... Problem solved... Simples!

[Asker]

Already changed numbers but can't exactly afford a new phone right now, thanks for your input though.

[EmmaMary]

Doing a complete factory reset to your existing phone should definitely help.

[Asker]

I shall try that, thank you!

[EmmaMary]

You're most very welcome indeed... Good Luck.

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHO.

[SnowedIn]

Get rid of the phone number that he has. Otherwise you should be good unless you gave him some other identifying information.

[Asker]

Could you give examples for "other identifying information" Please?

[SnowedIn]

Did you give him anything where, if he puts it together he can find where you live, work, go to the gym, get your coffee, etc? In other words, if he doesn't know what country, state, province, etc., you live in then you have nothing to worry about. If you live in Shanghai or Paris or New York, you have nothing to worry about. But if you live in a small village in the west of England and you told him your street name, that's more concerning. My point is this: I'd only be concerned if you told him something that could specifically and only identify you or when paired with other information could identify you. If that doesn't make sense I can expand more.

[Asker]

Oh i understand now thank you for explaining! And no he doesn't know those particular details thankfully

[SnowedIn]

Then you're in good shape! :) I really would get rid of that number he knows and then, if possible, change all your social media usernames/handles so that they're completely not you.

Best wishes with this! :)

[Asker]

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Time for a new phone number.

[Anonymous]

Bro your phone is hack...
Change the phone.