Swatting: how to protect yourself and what to do if it happens (2026)
Immediate steps
- During a swatting: comply fully with officers, keep hands visible, state calmly that you believe you are being swatted.
- After: file a police report and document the incident.
- Report to the FBI IC3.
- If the swatting followed online threats, preserve those threats as evidence.
Evidence preservation
Save any prior threats or 'I'll swat you' messages with URLs and timestamps. Note the responding agency and any case/incident number. Keep a record of who was involved if you were targeted via a streaming platform or game.
Where to report
| Entity | Contact | What to report |
|---|---|---|
| Local police | Non-emergency line; 911 during an incident | The swatting incident and any preceding threats; request a case number |
| FBI IC3 | https://www.ic3.gov | Swatting and the online threats/actors behind it |
Removal actions
- Remove your home address from people-search sites and Google results so attackers can't easily find where to send police.
- Lock down accounts and remove location metadata from posts/streams.
Prevention and follow-up
- Ask your local 911 center for a 911 Address Flag — a note in the dispatch (CAD) system tied to your address, which reaches responders no matter who calls about it. This is the one that matters for swatting, because the hoax call comes from a stranger, not from you.
- A Smart911 Safety Profile is a different thing: it surfaces when you or your family call 911, so on its own it may never be seen during a swatting. Useful, but not a substitute for an address flag.
- Availability is local and opt-in — not every 911 center offers either one. Call your local non-emergency line and ask what they support.
- Notify your local police non-emergency line in advance if you have a credible reason to expect a swatting.
- Remove your address from data brokers and reduce doxxing exposure.
- If you stream or are a public figure, avoid revealing location details.
Legal context
Swatting is prosecutable under state false-report and related laws, and can carry federal charges, especially when it crosses state lines or causes injury. In May 2023 the FBI launched the National Common Operating Picture (NCOP) Virtual Command Center, a law-enforcement data-sharing tool to track swatting incidents nationally — note this is a police-facing system, not a database individuals register with. This is general information, not legal advice.
Key mistakes to avoid
- Making sudden movements or arguing with arriving officers.
- Assuming a Smart911 profile protects you during a swatting — it surfaces when you call, not when a stranger calls about your address. Ask about an address flag too.
- Assuming either option exists everywhere — confirm with your local 911 center.
- Believing a flag stops a police response (officers still respond; the flag changes how they approach).
- Leaving your home address freely available on broker sites.
How Delist helps
Swatters need your real home address — which they typically pull from people-search sites or doxxing posts. Removing your address from data brokers removes the targeting information swatters rely on. delist.ai automates that removal and re-checks for relisting.
Find out what personal data is exposed about you online.
Run a free scan →Frequently asked questions
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Sources
- A city 911 center's own description of a CAD '911 Address Flag' (tied to an address, reaches 911 no matter who calls) versus a Smart911 Safety Profile (surfaces when you or your family call)
- FBI IC3 reporting channel
This guide provides general information for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, medical, or safety advice. If you are in danger, contact emergency services immediately.