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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’m being tracked?

43 replies

Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:03

Apologies, posting here for traffic.

how would I know if I’m being tracked? I have had a few passing thoughts that I’ve not thought much more of, maybe a slight gut feeling though very rarely. I’ve not spoken about this or googled it, searched it on anything etc. this is the first time I’m mentioning it.

an ad has just came up on my social media for a very very discreet gps system that has a mic, doesn’t die, magnetic, waterproof etc. about the size of a coin. Seems very odd that this kind of thing would come up on my customised ads unless someone had mentioned it around my phone or searched it within my household or around me.

would there be a way of finding out if there’s been something stuck somewhere on/in my car?

OP posts:
Binfire · 16/10/2023 19:06

Is there somebody in your life that you think might track you? Somebody who gets jealous or is controlling, or gets suspicious?

I don’t know much about targeted ads but it does sound likely to be honest.

Original poster
Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:12

Potentially yes, although I would never think they would - but I suppose they would have reason to be suspicious and could be looking to “catch me out”. Unlikely but not impossible I would say

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 16/10/2023 19:15

I think you are being paranoid.

LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit · 16/10/2023 19:15

My friend's ex put a tracker like that under the seat of her car. She suspected it so went to a garage to check and they found it.

Cherryana · 16/10/2023 19:17

I often just think things and then the exact thing comes up as an ad.

Other times I know my phone is in my bag and something I talked about turns up as an ad.

I think this happens to us all.

Original poster
Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:18

RedHelenB · 16/10/2023 19:15

I think you are being paranoid.

I didn’t ask what you think I’m being I asked how would I know if it was the case.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:19

Cherryana · 16/10/2023 19:17

I often just think things and then the exact thing comes up as an ad.

Other times I know my phone is in my bag and something I talked about turns up as an ad.

I think this happens to us all.

So bizarre, the only thing I can thing that could’ve triggered it was a colleague saying “he’s stalking you” in a joke about a client a couple of days ago

OP posts:
pinguins · 16/10/2023 19:22

Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:18

I didn’t ask what you think I’m being I asked how would I know if it was the case.

Show quote history

You literally did though. Your thread title was AIBU to think I'm being tracked? @RedHelenB replied accordingly.
FWIW I agree with her and hope you can get some help from your GP, this sounds a lot like the "ideas of reference" I get when I'm having a bipolar episode.

C1N1C · 16/10/2023 19:26

Chances are if there was one put in your car it would be on the inside, or possibly in the boot. It's too much effort to put it under the bonnet.

I'm just thinking common sense-wise... I'd want it easily accessible so I could remove it, but in an area unlikely to be accidentally stumbled upon... try down the back of the holders behind the seats, under the seats, or maybe in the sunglasses holder near the rear view mirror. Thinking out loud :)

Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:27

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Original poster
Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:27

C1N1C · 16/10/2023 19:26

Chances are if there was one put in your car it would be on the inside, or possibly in the boot. It's too much effort to put it under the bonnet.

I'm just thinking common sense-wise... I'd want it easily accessible so I could remove it, but in an area unlikely to be accidentally stumbled upon... try down the back of the holders behind the seats, under the seats, or maybe in the sunglasses holder near the rear view mirror. Thinking out loud :)

Thank you!

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 16/10/2023 19:28

Trackers can be very hard to find in a car. If you didn't know where it was you'd have to do a very very thorough search.

GripGetting · 16/10/2023 19:29

Fatcat00 · 16/10/2023 19:19

So bizarre, the only thing I can thing that could’ve triggered it was a colleague saying “he’s stalking you” in a joke about a client a couple of days ago

Show quote history

Could your phone have picked up your colleague saying the stalking comment? Phones do seem to listen..

CloudyAgain · 16/10/2023 19:30

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It happens. I used to work in family law and it happened more often than you would like to think. Usually by arseholes exes and / or stalkers.

Take all precautions? Take computer to a specialist and get them to check whatever it is they check. Take car to garage and get them to check. Check things like coats and bags for airtags etc.

CloudyAgain · 16/10/2023 19:31

Also- do you have an alexa that might be synced in to another device that someone might have? I don't know the proper terms etc.

dressedforcomfort · 16/10/2023 19:32

Could your phone have picked up your colleague saying the stalking comment? Phones do seem to listen..

This was my first thought. My phone has definitely targeted ads based on verbal conversations in the past....

I fucking hate it.

user1473878824 · 16/10/2023 19:33

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“The melodrama”

……!

Kedece2410 · 16/10/2023 19:36

Seems very odd that this kind of thing would come up on my customised ads unless someone had mentioned it around my phone or searched it within my household or around me

the only thing I can thing that could’ve triggered it was a colleague saying “he’s stalking you” in a joke about a client a couple of days ago

There's your answer - someone has

amylou8 · 16/10/2023 19:36

So the only thing that makes you suspect this is a Facebook ad? Facebook keeps offering me hijabs, fertility clinics and mobility scooters. I'm not Muslim, can walk and have 3 adult kids...it's not particularly reliable.
If you were being tracked by an airtag and you have a iPhone it would tell you. If its another sort of tracker then you'd need to do a proper search of you car/bag/coat.

Octavia64 · 16/10/2023 19:37

ExH put it on the wheel arch.

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 16/10/2023 19:43

I worked in a detective agency in London over 25 years ago and you would be surprised the amount of people who had their partner tracked or followed in person by one of the detectives working in the office. Shocking the stories I heard and had to type up for the client. You would need to get somebody who specializes in this tracking as they would have a device that can just scan the car, your phone etc or the home. It is not been paranoid at all as usually someone has looked up something or talked about it and then you get ads.

Is there a reason that he has to worry or has his suspicions? you may be up to something? This will play on your mind until you get it checked out.

0palFruits · 16/10/2023 19:47

I get that ad. Hasn't entered my mind that I'm being tracked

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 16/10/2023 19:47

To dressedforcomfort this has happened to myself and my son as we were chatting and then ads coming up, is weird but it does happen.

Nowherenew · 16/10/2023 19:49

Could you try and catch this person out?

Perhaps parking it somewhere and catching a bus into work.

If he starts asking you where you were etc then you may be on to something.

Do you have the tracker on your phone?

SeatonCarew · 16/10/2023 19:49

I had an example of this kind of thing only this morning. Mentioned something unusual and random to DH as I was reaching for my iPad, pressed a button and instantly there was a relevant advert.