Getting upset by the contents of an anonymous letter gives the author power. If you have received anonymous hate, don’t post about it on social media and try to call them out. Don’t address the office, or send e-mails to people you know accusing them of sending you anonymous letters. This validates the anonymous sender because they realize they got to you. It may also cause the author to send you more messages if they know they have gotten to you. [2] X Research source
If the letter contains false or potentially libellous or defamatory information, you could consider destroying the letter by shredding, tearing, or burning. However, it may be advisable to keep the letter in case you wish to show it to a lawyer or the authorities as evidence of threats or harassment. Bear in mind, however, that information would only be defamatory if it is not true.
If the letter contains criticism of your personality, appearance, or work habits, confront those criticisms. Do they have any merit? Is there something you can learn from this anonymous letter and change about yourself? Can you take this as a wake up call in some way?[3] X Research source
If it’s more general, try to decide who might have a problem with you or something you have done. Have you had any confrontations or disagreements with someone recently? Are you in a high-profile position in your company, community, or other organization that might make you a target for criticism?[4] X Research source Sometimes, clues about the writer’s identity can be found in the letter itself. Look at the grammar and mechanics usage. Analyze the language being used; sometimes this might help you decide if the person is older or younger, or even what profession they might have. Are there signature words used in the letter that may help lead you to the author? Did they sign it with a nominative like “A friend,” “A concerned neighbor,” or “An angry mother”? These aren’t foolproof ways of discovering the identity, but it might help you get started. Often, the senders of anonymous hate are people close to you, like friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, and people in the same organizations.
Think about the specifics of the letter. Does it name times, dates, and specific details? This might give the letter some credit; however, it could also be falsified information. Is there a reason this information might be sent through an anonymous letter instead of in person? Would the writer of the letter risk harm, ridicule, or negative consequences if they came forward? Is the language abusive, hateful in nature, or overly negative and critical? If so, this might be a spiteful, angry letter that doesn’t need to be taken seriously. [5] X Research source
The exception to this rule is if you get a letter accusing your spouse of cheating on you. In such a scenario, it is usually recommended that you do NOT raise the issue with your spouse while you quietly look into the matter carefully, so they do not cover their tracks. It is relatively easy to deceive a trusting partner, and sometimes an anonymous letter is the first sign that there might be cause for you to investigate further. [6] X Research source
If you involve the police, you will need to keep the letters as evidence. Some states may have laws against anonymous threatening that could help you. If you experience anonymous threats at work, go to your immediate boss or supervisor. They can help you figure out what course of action to take. If you are a youth who is receiving anonymous cyberbullying, talk to your parents, teachers, police officers, or other trusted adults. Schools can help with cyberbullying, and if that doesn’t work, try contacting one of the cyberbullying help websites, like End Cyberbullying, Cyberbully Help, or Stop Bullying. [8] X Research source [9] X Research source [10] X Trustworthy Source StopBullying. gov Website run by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services providing information related to identifying and preventing bullying Go to source
To view this information in an email, turn on the advanced header. This can be found by opening the e-mail, then clicking on the feature to show more from the e-mail. Look for an option to “show original,” “view full header,” or “view message source. " From there, type the IP address location into Google and use the multiple services shown to obtain a locality.
If you are receiving hate from any social media account, even an anonymous fake account, report them as breaking terms of service. Most social media accounts have guidelines against threatening messages. [12] X Research source
