Former CIA officer and security specialist reveals brilliant trick to tell if you are being followed
One might never know when they find themselves in trouble or being observed and followed by dangerous people. If you're not aware of the signs, you’ll be caught off guard. It’s important to know what to do to ensure you’re safe, especially if you don’t have access to help. Jason Hanson, a former CIA officer and founder of the Spy Escape and Evasion school, who goes by u/Sky Escape, shared a post on Reddit to help with this dilemma. As an author of the New York Times bestselling book, “Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life” and “Survive Like a Spy,” the man revealed the best trick to confirm whether you're being followed or stalked — it might save your life.
The former CIA officer hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit and several people chimed in with different questions for survivial. A user, who goes by u/SamiAbK, asked how one can tell whether they’re being followed or spied on. The former officer revealed, “The best way to know if you're being followed is to run an SDR (Surveillance Detection Route.) It's what spies run before they go meet someone.” While it may seem like a hectic or unknown thing, it is just a smart way of going wherever you’re headed.
“In short, instead of going straight from point A to point B, you might go to the gym, then Starbucks, then Walmart and then to your final destination. If you see the same cars or people at the gym, Starbucks, etc., then you know you're being followed and you would abort your meeting,” Hanson explained. The method is effective and only requires a little time and observation on the other person’s end. Knowing you’re being followed gives ample time to be alert about anything odd and unusual or even prepare a defense and even call for help if possible. Hanson noted, "I still run SDR's all the time, when I am leaving my office to make sure nobody ever follows me home."
In a video on his YouTube page, the expert shared how to know whether someone is following you at the grocery store. At such crowded places, it's hard to tell whether you’re being followed or if it’s just a coincidence. Hanson cautions people to be wary of two things: time and distance. He explained that if a person happens to be along the same aisle at the same time as you, it’s not necessary that they’re following you. However, if it seems to be recurring or if you find yourself at the grocery store two weeks later and the person is also there at the same time and this repeats, then it would be smart to be alert.
The most important thing to do if you think you’re being followed is to divert your route and create confusion. This can be followed by calling for help or finding a safe space to hide. People commented on the video, grateful for the advice. @reppi8742 said, “I was being followed around a store. I went back and forth between toys, food, clothing, etc. The guy was everywhere I went. I confronted him but he didn't stop. I walked over to the service desk and got a manager. One walked me to my car while he was detained. Don't be embarrassed! Be proactive!” @Kellysong2256 added, “Situational awareness is key. And don't be naive.”