These Wild Stories of Near Misses Will Make You Go ‘Whoa, That Was Close!’

When my little guy was just four, he was playing outside when this man pulled over, asked him to help find his lost dog. But before any of that could happen, our Aussie shepherd jumped in, blocked the man, and growled like a pro bodyguard. The man drove off just as I reached the door. Talk about a furry hero!

I was fishing along a creek in Florida when, surprise, I stepped right into quicksand up to my armpits! Taking a cue from survival tips, I slowly wriggled out, losing one shoe and covering myself in slime - and probably smelling great too. No one around for miles, so if I hadn’t gotten out, I’d be a spooky unsolved mystery by now. Always tell someone where you’re heading, folks!

At 29, I had two attempted kidnappings in just a month. The first was an SUV on the sidewalk - the dude tried the classic 'can you help me look for…’ trick, but my loud cursing scared them off. The second? Creepy pacing guy in a car at a park. I whipped out my pocket knife just as a pit bull’s owner swooped in, yelling like a superhero, and saved me. Never underestimate the power of a big dog!

I was so exhausted one night after multiple shifts that I fell asleep on the NYC subway. When I woke up, a cop told me he noticed some bad guys circled around me and kicked them off the train. He stuck with me until my transfer. From that day on, no more subway naps for me - standing, blasting music, and all to stay alert.

When a creepy driver started following me, I ran up to the nearest house, knocked, and asked for 'Becky' like a good kid trying to find a playmate. The homeowner took one look at me and the creepy car, cozying me up to wait until it felt safe to head home. Kid skills: 100.

When I was two, I wandered off at a carnival - my talkative dad was distracted chatting away and didn’t notice. Instead of disappearing, a kind cop snagged me and kept me safe, basically making the police station my coolest playdate spot ever. Since then, my mom’s been dressing my younger sisters and me alike, so we’re easier to spot. Parents really do have the best (and quirkiest) ideas!

Back in the late 90s AOL golden days, my friend and I, both 16, met some older guys online and went cruising with them around town in a Camaro. Turns out they were extremists, but we were blissfully clueless until the next day’s reality check hit hard. Still friends, and still shaking our heads at our 16-year-old selves!

At 10, a man with weird dog delivery scheme tried to trick me at the bus stop. I said no, got my bus on time, and drove away. Years later in Asia, my boyfriend and I lost the trail hiking the Himalayas as a storm rolled in... So yeah, close calls of all kinds are no joke!

Back in 2002, my mom and I left a mall when some guy in wild robes with crazy eyes approached me. He was fixated and wouldn’t leave us alone, until we got out of town. Just months later, a girl who looked a lot like me was abducted, and my mom suspects that man was scoping us out first.

In the late 90s, after a long adventure in SE Asia, I accepted a taxi ride from a local I barely knew. The driver and passenger took me on a winding, sketchy route away from town. My heart raced imagining the worst, but it turned out they helped me find the best spot, got me a good deal on lodging, and were just genuinely kind. Still, lesson learned, folks - always share your whereabouts!

When my friend and I were about 10, some strange man pulled up near us asking for directions and then tried to sweet-talk us with promises of candy and coke if we’d get in his car. No way! We jogged off to the store safe and sound, but that guy was seriously creepy and super pushy. Talk about a red flag waving!

At 16, I was babysitting when some guy showed up selling magazines. He asked me to check them out in his car, kissed my hand (ugh, gross!), and tried to get me to leave with him. Nope! Door locked, no way was I opening it for that weirdo. Stay safe and never open your door unless you’re expecting someone!

I was washing dishes late one night when I realized someone was doing unspeakable things just outside my slightly open window. My cat’s furious hissing saved me from an awkward - and totally terrifying - meeting! Cops didn’t take me seriously, but luckily the neighbor scared him off a couple weeks later.

Before I was born, my mom was driving to a rural farm late at night when a car followed her down a long gravel path. Our farm dog leapt out barking and snarling like a pro, scaring off the stranger. My dad got home half an hour later, and honestly, I'm so thankful we had that fierce dog guarding us!

Back in ‘98, my bestie chatted online with a supposed 16-year-old and arranged to meet at a city park. We tagged along, but surprise, surprise - there was no boy, just a creepy old man. He got all weird asking about my friend’s meet-up plans, and we freaked him out by suddenly showing up. Creepy guy ran off! Internet dangers were real even in dial-up days.

We were driving home when this huge black truck started tailing us on the highway - I had that awful crawl-in-your-stomach feeling. We got off, ducked into a gross restaurant, but the black truck circled past seven times! That gut feeling finally went away, and we booked it. Definitely one of the scariest moments I’ve had!

My sister and I were outside playing when a cop in a patrol car started acting oddly. He kept motioning us over and got out talking about directions. Then he wanted a little girl to get in his car - yikes! I told my sister to run and called mom. My sister and I still chat about it - definitely a trust issue with cops now!

After an event, a guy at the martini bar focused all his creepy attention on me. He grabbed my hand, insisting on reading my palm - nope, no thanks! I made a quick exit with a friend making sure I got to my car safe. Later, learned he was lurking and would’ve been trouble if no one was watching.

Waiting for the bus, a couple with a baby asked if they could give me a lift, promising the bus was slow and I shouldn’t be suspicious. I politely said no, but when a neighbor came outside, the couple took off fast. That chill in the spine? Oh yeah, that was real.

My husband was a kid who talked to the bus driver about his late practices. The driver offered to come get him in a personal car. Coach freaked out and told mom, who made sure someone else picked him up. What if he’d just gone? Yikes.

My friend and I were Girl Scouts working a cookie booth alone when two men came up. They insisted we come to a sketchy motel 'party' with them. We told them we were just kids, but they kept pushing until we mentioned our troop leaders. They got the hint and left, but still, a story that haunts.

At age 6, a guy in a truck followed me when I was walking to the bus stop. He offered me a ride, but something felt off. I said no and kept walking. He stayed behind me for a block before someone else came along and he finally drove off. Talk about heart in your throat moments!

I was wiped out after work and walking to the bus late at night when a guy behind me said, “Don’t get any closer to that bus.” He was creepy and chilling. I sprinted to the bus and asked the driver to close the doors. Relieved to get away, I still shiver thinking about it.

At age 4 or 5, I left school unnoticed and started walking home alone. A van pulled up with a man and woman inside who offered me a ride if I got in the back. Luckily, a neighbor came outside and the van sped off fast. Mom didn’t even know I was gone till school called. Such a close call!

A dude with scruffy hair and a beard pulled his car alongside me, insisting I take this house key from him. I didn’t! I kept walking, trying not to freak out. He drove slowly matching my pace for five minutes before one final 'jerk!' and he zoomed off. Definitely one of the weirdest encounters ever.

I did so many foolish things when I was young, I’m honestly amazed I made it through all of them. Close calls were basically my middle name.

I was camping with a friend's family and woke up to a strange shaking a corner pole of our tent. Stepping outside, I spotted a man along the tree line who motioned me over. I didn’t stay to chat and told my friend, though no one really believed us. Definitely one of those moments that still gives me the chills.

A few years ago, while renting part of an old church, a man walked up with a strange map and wanted to show me inside his van. I quickly shut that door and said nope - stay safe, folks!