Receiving a threatening, harassing, or otherwise illegal email can be a frightening experience. Knowing how to properly report it to the police is crucial for your safety and the potential prosecution of the offender. This guide will walk you through the process, outlining what information you need and what to expect.
When Should You Report an Email to the Police?
Not every unwanted email requires police intervention. However, you should report an email to the police if it contains:
- Threats of violence: This includes explicit threats against you, your family, or others. This is a serious offense and should be reported immediately.
- Harassment: Persistent, unwanted emails that are designed to intimidate, annoy, or cause distress. This could include stalking, bullying, or hate speech.
- Extortion: Emails demanding money or other valuables under threat of harm or exposure of information.
- Child exploitation material: If the email contains or links to illegal content involving children, this is a crime and must be reported.
- Fraudulent activity: Emails attempting to scam you or steal your personal information. While you should also report this to relevant authorities like the FTC, reporting to the police can be crucial in investigations.
Gathering Information Before Reporting
Before contacting the police, gather the following information:
- The email itself: Save the email as a PDF or print a copy. Do not delete the email.
- Sender's information: Note the sender's email address, name (if provided), and any other identifying information.
- Date and time: Record the date and time you received the email.
- Content details: Summarize the key details of the email's content, including specific threats or harassing statements.
- Screenshots: Screenshots can be helpful supplementary evidence.
How to Report the Email to the Police
The process of reporting varies slightly depending on your location. Generally, you'll follow these steps:
- Contact your local police department: Find the non-emergency number for your local police department online.
- Explain the situation: Clearly and calmly explain the situation to the dispatcher. Provide the information you gathered.
- File a report: The dispatcher may guide you through filing an online report or request you come to the station to file a formal complaint.
- Keep a record: Keep a record of the police report number and any communication you have with law enforcement.
What Happens After You Report?
After reporting, the police will investigate the email. The investigation's scope and speed will depend on the severity of the offense. They may attempt to trace the sender's IP address or other identifying information. While you may not receive immediate resolution, your report helps build a case and deter future offenses.
Additional Steps You Can Take
While reporting to the police is crucial, consider these additional steps:
- Block the sender: Block the sender's email address to prevent further communication.
- Report to your email provider: Report the email to your email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.) as spam or abuse. This helps them remove the email and potentially identify the sender.
- Change your passwords: If the email involved phishing or attempts to gain access to your accounts, change your passwords immediately.
- Document everything: Keep a record of all communication related to the incident.
Reporting an email to the police is a serious step, but it's essential for your safety and security. Don't hesitate to report any emails that make you feel threatened or unsafe.
