The notification usually pops up on your iPhone halfway home. “AirTag Found Moving With You.” It chills your blood. You wonder if it is a glitch or someone else’s keys. Maybe it signals something more sinister. Tech-enabled stalking is a terrifying reality in 2026. Criminals use cheap, coin-sized trackers to follow women home from gyms, bars, and shopping centers. These magnetic devices are weatherproof and accurate. Criminals do not need to break into your car to track you. They just need three seconds to stick a device on the outside while you load groceries.
Tech companies added safety alerts, but those alerts often come with a delay. A stalker gains enough time to find out where you live. You cannot rely solely on your phone for protection. Perform physical checks if you suspect someone is following you. Stalkers look for spots that are quick to access but hard to see without bending down. They want the device to be secure enough for highway speeds. However, it must remain hidden enough to survive a casual glance. Do not drive home if you get that notification. Go to a police station or public place. Check these five specific spots immediately.
The Rear Wheel Wells
This acts as the number one hiding spot because of easy access. A stalker can walk past your car and pretend to tie a shoe. Then they stick a magnetic case into the wheel well in seconds. Plastic liners usually cover the wheel well. Yet, metal components and lips sit behind the tire where a magnet sticks firmly. The area remains dark and dirty. Nobody looks there. Use a flashlight to look up and behind the tire. Feel around the upper rim for any small plastic boxes or taped-on devices.
Behind the License Plate
This spot takes more time but allows for long-term tracking. A stalker can slide a slim tracker behind the plate if screws only hold the top. Perhaps screws hold all four corners. Many cars still have a recessed area for the plate that creates a “lip.” A criminal can tape a device there. It creates a blind spot right at eye level for a car behind you. However, it remains invisible to you. Give your plate a rattle. Check behind it if it feels loose or makes a sound.
Inside the Trailer Hitch Receiver
Drivers of SUVs or trucks with tow hitches have a perfect hiding hole on the back. The hollow square of the hitch receiver is dark and metal. Magnets stick perfectly there. The spot remains hidden from view unless you lie on the ground. Lazy stalkers favor this spot because they can drop a device there without crouching. Shine your phone’s flashlight deep into the receiver tube. Ensure it is empty.
Under the Bumpers (The Plastic Lip)
Most modern cars have plastic bumpers that curl underneath the vehicle. Magnets will not stick to the plastic. Consequently, stalkers use strong double-sided tape or velcro to affix trackers here. They reach under the rear bumper. They stick it to the inside of the plastic shell in a split second. A device can stay here for months because you rarely look at the underside. Run your hand along the inside edge of your rear bumper. Investigate immediately if you feel anything other than smooth factory plastic.
The Gas Cap Flap
This represents a bolder move, but it happens. Your gas cap door might not lock when you lock the car. This makes it an easy target. A stalker can pop it open and tape a tracker to the inside of the door. The flap protects the device from wind and rain. You only look there when you fill up. Make it a habit to check the inside of the door every time you get gas. Call the police if you find something. Do not touch it so they can fingerprint it.
Key Takeaway: Trust Your Gut, Not Just Your Tech
Believe the alert if you get one. Do not dismiss it as a technical error. Stalkers rely on women second-guessing their fear. Do not go home if you find a device. Drive to the nearest police station instead. Checking your wheel wells before leaving a dark parking lot is not paranoia. It shows basic situational awareness in a digital age. Stay vigilant. Keep your location to yourself.
Have you ever received an AirTag alert that turned out to be real? Help others stay safe by sharing your experience below.
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The post 5 Places Stalkers Hide AirTags on Women’s Cars (Check the Wheel Wells First) appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
