Home Swatting: I Asked Police for Details, Here's What I Learned About This Crime Trend

CNET

18 hours ago

In recent years I've seen a disturbing trend grow around the world -- prank calls made to emergency services, like 911, that claim someone is dangerous and armed at a specific address, aka swatting. More often than not, this leads to law enforcement surrounding an innocent home and person inside, with potentially lethal consequences. Yes, it's very illegal harassment, but it keeps on happening.
Swatting began in the gaming world as a particularly malicious joke after a bad game, related to doxxing people and making online threats. But it's grown since then, with swatting becoming a consequence of political disagreements, neighborhood feuds and teenage dares. It's also grown more sophisticated, with websites and apps springing up that let you spoof your phone number (or using a VoIP service) and disguise your voice. Some even hack into vulnerable security cameras when they do it.
Obviously, that's a huge headache for anyone from gamers to public figures, so it's no surprise if you're wondering about the chances of getting swatted too. I spoke with law enforcement and emergency response specialists to get the good news, the bad news and everything in between on home swatting, including what you can do to stay as safe as possible.
First, the good news about swatting
Many police departments are now ready for swatting problems.
Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty
Swatting has been around long enough that law enforcement and emergency communication centers are generally aware of it. The FBI continues to issue guidance alerts, including the latest public service announcement from April 2025. That means swatting is a bit less likely to work since responders are increasingly aware of swatting signs, like spoofed or blocked numbers, a lack of background noises, a lack of nearby confirming calls and a caller who cannot confirm key details.
I reached out to the Portland Police Bureau to learn more. Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen had encouraging information. "Every time I have heard about it happening, the initially responding patrol officers have done a phenomenal job of vetting the call and determining that it is not legitimate." That's helping to avoid the fear, money and time that is wasted when people are swatted.
The FBI has worked to raise awareness of swatting, too. And despite the dangers, deaths resulting from swatting are very, very low and confined to a handful of tragic cases, such as a case in Kansas in 2017 and another in Tennessee in 2020. And now that a number of swatters have been sentenced to serious prison time, internet trolls know they can face real consequences.
However, the problem is that the allegations in swatting are so serious -- like murder, kidnapping, bomb threats, etc. -- that emergency services generally have to investigate. And police don't always know if it's a swatting case until they arrive at an address and check it out, which is why it can be so dangerous. But there are safety measures that you and your friends and family can take.
What to do if you think you've been swatted
You can prepare for swatting if you believe you've been threatened.
kali9 via Getty
If you've gotten threatening messages or other signs that make you think that you've just been swatted or that you will be swatted soon, there are a few important things you can do right away to stay safe.
Contact law enforcement
Reach out to your local police and explain the problem. "If someone thinks they might be targeted, it's a good idea to file an informational police report about it," Allen said. "Responding officers would have access to that typically, and that would help."
Responses to worries about swatting can vary, but sometimes reporting that you're worried you've been swatted will be able to help. "Here in Portland, officers may set up a perimeter around a residence and try to make phone contact," Allen mentioned, "So having an accurate and current name and phone number in the system is really helpful."
Also contact your local emergency communications center and explain the issue to them. Often, they'll also be able to put in a note for your address that says you are worried that you've been swatted.
Get loved ones to a safe place
If possible, relocate pets and family until the swatting danger appears to have passed. You may not have a lot of time, but do what you can to make sure arriving police officers won't be running into your pets or scaring any children.
Stay aware and alert
If you get threatening messages in a game or online forum, take them seriously and start paying attention for signs of swatting. "It's smart to maintain some awareness about what's happening in your home," Sergeant Allen advised. "Sometimes we find people are home alone, playing video games with their sound-blocking headphones and can't hear us calling, knocking or 'loud hailing' -- that's when we use a loudspeaker to call into a home."
Prep your home for a visit
Remember, law enforcement is often required to investigate swatting claims even if it's a prank. That means you may still get a visit even if you do everything right. Store any weapons you have and prepare to greet police.
When I talked with John Chiaramonte, president of consulting services at 911 facilitator Mission Critical Partners, he suggested, "Stay calm, follow police commands and avoid sudden movements...comply with commands and clarify when it's safe. Afterward, file a report and preserve any threatening messages."
Chiaramonte believes that additional federal legislation should address swatting, but for now he said to remember that police officers often believe it's a real emergency. "Awareness, preparation and communication can help ensure a safe outcome," he said.
How to avoid being swatted
You can help lower the risk of swatting if you think you may be a target.
Maria Korneeva via Getty
"It's difficult to 'prevent' swatting," Sergeant Allen told me. Swatting is frightening because it's uncontrollable, and you usually don't know when or even why it's happening. But there are several practical steps that can reduce your risk, especially when it comes to the internet hordes.
Turn off location services : If your gaming platform or communication hub uses location-based services, turn them off when possible. They make it much easier to find your real address online. You can usually find these settings in your profile or data-sharing sections of the apps you use.
: If your gaming platform or communication hub uses location-based services, turn them off when possible. They make it much easier to find your real address online. You can usually find these settings in your profile or data-sharing sections of the apps you use. Wipe your address from the internet : "Review your online presence for sensitive personal information that could enable malicious actors to conduct a swatting attack," the FBI suggests. I have a full guide on how to do this here. You can't usually scrub your address everywhere, but you can make it a lot harder to find. Steps like using a P.O. Box and sending requests to take down personal contact info can make a big difference. Plus, you may get less junk mail.
: "Review your online presence for sensitive personal information that could enable malicious actors to conduct a swatting attack," the FBI suggests. I have a full guide on how to do this here. You can't usually scrub your address everywhere, but you can make it a lot harder to find. Steps like using a P.O. Box and sending requests to take down personal contact info can make a big difference. Plus, you may get less junk mail. Don't share your address on social media or other sites : From your profile info to other ID data, don't include information on your address or the city you live in on any social media that you use. If you use a payment service, create a separate one for your online activities that doesn't have your real name attached. "Exercise care when posting content (including photos and videos) or sharing it with individuals online," the FBI reminds. That includes platforms like Reddit, Discord or Twitch.
: From your profile info to other ID data, don't include information on your address or the city you live in on any social media that you use. If you use a payment service, create a separate one for your online activities that doesn't have your real name attached. "Exercise care when posting content (including photos and videos) or sharing it with individuals online," the FBI reminds. That includes platforms like Reddit, Discord or Twitch. Use a VPN if worried : A VPN can make it much harder to track your IP address and similar info that could be used to identify your location by a more determined swatter. If you're worried and you aren't already using a VPN, this is an excellent opportunity to get one.
: A VPN can make it much harder to track your IP address and similar info that could be used to identify your location by a more determined swatter. If you're worried and you aren't already using a VPN, this is an excellent opportunity to get one. Remember, swatting thrives on conflict: Unless you are a celebrity, swatting usually has some purpose or triggering event behind it. The more you avoid open conflict online and if you, well, generally avoid being an asshole, the less likely it is someone will swat you.
Do you need to worry about accidentally swatting someone?
Not really. If you're as honest as possible with emergency services, they should be able to help you out even if you accidentally get an address wrong or lose your train of thought. But it's a good idea to take a deep breath and try not to flub any details if you're dialing 911 in an emergency.
For more helpful info from our experts, check out the best home security systems, how to update your smart home passwords and if you need to worry about any kinds of smart home hacking.