Swatting Resource Page: What is Swatting and How to Avoid a Swatting?
January 04, 2015
Swatting has been in the news a lot recently. Swatting results when a prank caller (or often someone who does not approve of your political activities and wants to censor you) calls 9-1-1, telling the dispather than there is an emergency.
Due to VOIP and other software, it's possible to spoof your phone number. When the hoaxer calls 9-1-1, it will appear as if the call is coming from inside your home.
Often police are given dire scenarios. In one case the police were told that a man was holding a wife and child hostage.
Police arrive, often with machine guns. Innocent people often die as police are often mistaken an intruders to the unsuspecting victims of the Swatting.
I was almost a victim of a Swatting. I was able to avoid being Swatted a I had studied this phenomena. To learn more about Swatting, check out these resources.
Resources on Swatting:
- FBI: The Crime of ‘Swatting’ Fake 9-1-1 Calls Have Real Consequences
- Wikipedia: Swatting
- Reaxxion: What is Swatting?
- Mike Cernovich: How to Avoid a Swatting
- #GamerGate is not Swatting Anyone
- Swatting: A Campaign of Political Terrorism
Swatting in the News:
- NJ Family 'Swatted' by Video Gamers: Police
- Dozens of police, SWAT respond to "Swatting" hoax in Southwest Portland
- Teen arrested, identified as Polk "swatting" suspect
- Elk Grove police hit by 911 'swatting' hoax
Videos of Swattings:
Swatting often happens to gamers. Gamers will live stream themselves playing video games. This alerts pranksters to the location of the gamers.
Some of these Swattings have been caught on video. One famous Swatting incident involved the videogame YouTube channel Kootra.
While playing a video game a SWAT team emerged. Because cameras were on, the Swatting was caught live on camera. Click play to watch it unfold.
The Creatures (Kootra) got SWAT Raided (SWATTED) #FreeKootra2014
Livestreamers Getting "Swatted"? What is swatting?
Swatting: US gamers’ pranks see armed cops target their online enemies
Swatting: The Bottom Line
Swatting can have life-altering consequences for the victims (who may be shot in an accidental shooting) and the perpetrators (who if caught may spend life in prison).
If you fear you may be the victim of a Swatting, call your local law enforcement immediately to inform them of the threat.