What to do if someone is harassing you via text?

Asked by: Kenton Luettgen  |  Last update: March 2, 2026
Score: 5/5 (41 votes)

If someone is harassing you by text, document everything (screenshots), do not engage, block the number, and report it to the police, especially if you feel unsafe or threatened; you should also report to your phone carrier and consider legal options like restraining orders if the harassment is severe.

Can a text message be considered harassment?

The short answer is yes. When you keep sending repeated text messages, it can count as harassment. Keep in mind, though, that there are some exceptions. For instance, a friend of yours asking if you're okay may send repeated messages if you're not answering.

What evidence do I need for text harassment?

To prove text harassment, you need to gather and organize evidence like screenshots of the entire conversation (including dates/times/numbers), create a timeline of incidents, document requests to stop, and note any threats or escalating behavior, possibly with witness info, to present to authorities or a lawyer. The key is to provide tangible proof, not just allegations, showing a pattern of unwanted communication that causes distress or fear, according to legal sources. 

Can police do anything about harassing texts?

While the local police might state they don't accept reports of threats, contacting your phone provider and local law enforcement may still lead to taking appropriate measures against the harasser, as indicated by the guidance from several legal sources on handling such situations.

Are text messages a form of harassment?

Written harassment, such as graffiti, comments on social media (e.g., Tweets, Facebook), YouTube videos, text messages, emails, or other online communications.

What counts as harassment and stalking? [Criminal law explainer]

44 related questions found

What to do when someone harasses you by text?

If online contact with someone makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or harassed, stop responding to them.

  1. Collect evidence. Keep any evidence you have of contact that has made you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or harassed, including: ...
  2. Report the unwanted contact. ...
  3. Stop further contact and tighten security. ...
  4. Get more help.

Can the police do anything about online harassment?

Yes, police can take action on online harassment, especially when it involves threats of violence, stalking, nonconsensual sexual imagery, or other clear crimes, but their intervention often depends on the severity, evidence, and specific state/federal laws; filing a report creates a paper trail for potential criminal or civil cases, and severe cases can involve the FBI. 

Can screenshots of texts be used as evidence?

Yes, screenshots of messages can be used as evidence, but they are often considered weak or unreliable on their own because they can be easily edited, cropped, or taken out of context, making them difficult to authenticate; courts prefer original messages with complete metadata (dates, times, sender info) and often require extra proof, like testimony or forensic analysis, to confirm they are genuine. 

Can I sue for harassing text messages?

That could give rise to a claim for defamation, with the text message being the evidence of that defamatory statement. Harassment and Discrimination: If text messages are harassing (especially sexual harassment) or discriminatory, they may support a lawsuit under anti-harassment and anti-discrimination laws.

What to do if someone won't stop texting you?

27 effective ways to get someone to stop texting you

  1. Tell them to stop. ...
  2. Change notification settings. ...
  3. Send only one-word replies. ...
  4. Tell them how you feel. ...
  5. Let them know you're busy. ...
  6. Offer an alternative. ...
  7. Explain boundaries. ...
  8. Speak to them in private.

Can you press charges on someone who keeps texting you?

The law says that it's illegal for a person to repeatedly send someone texts (or rather electronic communications in general). For your actions to be considered a crime, the person you sent the messages to must have been affected somehow.

What kind of proof do you need for harassment?

To prove harassment, you need a detailed log of incidents (dates, times, locations, what happened), supported by tangible evidence like emails, texts, photos, videos, and witness statements, plus documentation of your complaints and the harasser's responses, showing the conduct was unwelcome, severe/pervasive, and based on a protected characteristic (like sex, race, etc.). Medical records showing impact and formal reports to HR/police also significantly strengthen a case. 

How many times can you text someone before it's harassment?

There's no magic number of texts for harassment, as it depends on content, frequency, and impact, but generally, repeated, unwanted messages that cause you distress, anxiety, or fear are considered harassment, especially after you've asked them to stop. While a single threatening text can be harassment, multiple, persistent, non-threatening texts can also qualify, with legal definitions often requiring at least two related incidents (a "course of conduct") that a reasonable person would find alarming or distressing. 

What are examples of harassing text messages?

Here are some of the common ways textual abuse can take form.

  • They Ask a Ton of Questions.
  • They Send Indirect (or Overt) Threats.
  • They're Overly Controlling.
  • They Keep Track of Your Location.
  • They Expect You to Be Glued to Your Phone.
  • They Are Accusatory and Jealous.
  • They Insist You Sext.
  • They Feign Vulnerability or Innocence.

How to respond to harassing texts?

Here are some suggestions:

  1. Consider reporting the abuse to social media companies. ...
  2. Let the survivor know that reporting to the police could lead to an investigation to see if the abuser broke any laws.
  3. Keep a record of the harassing and threatening messages.

Can the police do anything about harassing texts?

Police are hear to help protect your health, safety, and welfare from these menacing texts. And if you are arrested for sending harassing texts, contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Laws against all forms of cyberbullying are being taken increasingly seriously.

Do text messages hold up in court?

Yes, text messages absolutely hold up in court and are common digital evidence, but they must be authenticated (proven genuine and unaltered), relevant to the case, and legally obtained, with courts often preferring original data over potentially edited screenshots to ensure accuracy and context. Deleted messages can often be recovered, making evidence tampering difficult, and require proper legal process like warrants for access. 

Is it worth suing for harassment?

Suing for harassment can be "worth it" if you have strong evidence, suffered significant damages (lost wages, emotional distress), and are motivated for accountability and compensation, but it's a difficult, lengthy process requiring strong "selfish" motivation (like money or justice) alongside a desire to stop future harm; it's best to consult an attorney to assess your case's strength and potential outcomes, as settlements vary widely. 

Can you be convicted on text messages?

Texts Alone Rarely Secure Convictions

Text messages are often introduced as evidence, but they rarely carry enough weight on their own to secure a conviction. Courts want more than a short line of text and usually expect other forms of proof to back it up.

Is screenshotting texts illegal?

Taking a screenshot of a personal conversation and sharing it with others without permission may not always result in legal consequences, but it can cause emotional harm and damage relationships.

How to show text messages in court?

Best Practices for Documenting Text Messages for Legal Use

  1. Save clear screenshots. ...
  2. Regularly back up messages. ...
  3. Export texts in a court-friendly format. ...
  4. Preserve message integrity. ...
  5. Document information alongside the texts.

What qualifies as harassment via text?

Text harassment involves repeated, unwanted, and offensive messages intended to alarm, annoy, or threaten someone, including threats of harm, obscene content, cyberstalking, or persistent unwanted contact after being told to stop, creating fear or significant emotional distress, and can range from workplace bullying to criminal behavior. What constitutes harassment depends on intent and impact, but generally includes any electronic communication that makes a reasonable person feel threatened, abused, or intimidated. 

Who investigates online harassment?

You can report these crimes to your local FBI field office and/or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The IC3 can review a complaint and refer it to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

When to report harassment to the police?

Reporting harassment to the police

You can report harassment to the police. They can charge someone with criminal harassment if: the person has harassed you more than once. the harassment made you feel distressed or alarmed.

Can I sue someone for harassment by text?

Harassing messages sometimes rise to a level at which you can sue a harasser or abuser in civil court. A victim may also have a claim for defamation or libel in connection with Internet misconduct, if the harassing messages were sent to third parties.