#1 Came Home And This Note Was Taped To My Door. Time To Install Security Cameras, I Guess
Being attacked physically is clearly terrifying, even if one manages to escape the hands of the perpetrator. But mental terror, such as repeatedly receiving disturbing notes, can be equally as awful and oftentimes, not easier to break free from.
“The fact that something creepy comes ‘out of the blue’ adds to its impact because you are combining the element of surprise with the creepiness,” Prof. Frank T. McAndrew pointed out in a recent interview with Bored Panda.
#5 My Cousin's Stalker
For context, my cousin found these zip ties and some sort of tag on her car. The door handle and apartment door also had zip ties and a note on her apartment door.
However, the expert suggested that—as disturbing as receiving a creepy note is—if it’s not a recurring event, it shouldn’t have too strong of a detrimental effect on the receiver’s well-being.
“Your mental well-being will always be worse for a short while after receiving such a note, as it can stimulate a range of negative emotions such as fear, guilt, shame, or anxiety depending upon the content of the note. Receiving just one note, however, should not have any long-lasting effects for most people.”
#8 I Received A Clown In The Mail With This Note Yesterday. No Idea Who Sent It
Needless to say, receiving notes with threats or creepy messages time and again can be enough to drive one crazy; or at least make them constantly anxious. And unfortunately, out of those who’ve ever gotten a disturbing note—whether it was sent to their home, delivered to their workplace, or left on their car—at least a few have received more than one.
#9 This Ouija Board At A Market Comes With A Note. Anyone Know Zozo?
#10 I Found This Note In My Coat Sleeve While I Was Leaving Work. I Don’t Have Any Work Enemies, Or So I Thought
Judging by their content, quite a few of the creepy notes on this list seem to have been left by stalkers, who, unfortunately, are not as rare of a phenomenon as one might think.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, during a 12-month period in 2005 and 2006, an estimated 14 in every 1,000 persons age 18 or older were victims of stalking. Out of them, roughly three-in-four knew their stalker.
#12 An Old Man Who's Been Stalking Me Left A Note On My Car At My Job
The last time I spoke to him, he insisted that I go out to lunch with him or call him on his phone. Putting my foot down, I told him I was not at all interested in ever doing something like that, but I thanked him for the gifts. His reaction was subtle, but it really made me change my tune because I could detect a certain callousness and animosity in his demeanor that stood out as a huge red flag to me.
Today, this note was taped to my car. I have no idea why he addressed me as "Garbo," but I have to assume it's a reference to Greta Garbo.
Hopefully, this is the end of him coming around, but of course I will be on guard for anything suspicious.
Statistics show that out of the stalkers the victims knew personally, the majority were a former intimate partner (comprising close to 22% of all stalkers) or a friend, a roommate, or a neighbor (comprising nearly 16.5%).
#15 These Notes I Found While Walking Near The Beach Last Night
#16 My Mother-In-Law Started Going Through The 1st Stages Of Dementia In 2013. She Used To Write Notes, And I Found One. Creeped Me Out For Sure
#17 A Note I Found On The Ground Outside My House
"John,
I’m not mad at you. I am terrified by/of you. Once your hands do the reverse seal and your eyes go dark... I have to go fast. Last night, did you see these finger bruises on my wrists? neck? You hit my left side hip and knee with the door so hard it's purple. I can’t walk without limping. Thank you so much for the rides that helped so much. I’m sorry. I’m just scared. You really scare me. I have to protect myself."
The Bureau of Justice Statistics also revealed that women were at a higher risk of becoming victims of stalking than their male counterparts; females reportedly experienced 20 victimizations per 1,000 women (aged 18 or older) while out of males, approximately 7 per 1,000 (who were 18 or older) did.
#18 This Note I Found Inside A Desk At My High School
Back in high school, I was in my class, and the classroom had one of those desks with a space underneath to store stuff. I reached inside, and this is what I found. A couple of months later, my friend found another one just like this on the floor, but it was for January.
We reported it to the school, and they took the second note. As far as I know, nothing ever came of it.
#19 Found This While Cleaning Out An Old Sewing Kit
#20 Found In The Suggestion Box At The Post Office
Needless to say, stalking and leaving notes like the ones received by people on this list tend to take a toll on the victims. Studies on the psychosocial impacts of stalking found that it made victims significantly more anxious (which was reportedly the main detrimental outcome), as well as more angry and noticeably less outgoing.
According to Dr. McAndrew, stalking keeps the victim in a perpetual state of anxiety and vigilance, which can be exhausting.