Indicators of Human Trafficking

Recognize the Signs

Human trafficking victims are often overlooked because people do not recognize the signs of human trafficking. When travelers and transportation employees know what to look for, they can serve as a community's eyes and ears. Recognizing the indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying potential victims.  

Human trafficking victims can be of any age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, religion, national origin, education level, or citizenship status. 

Rather than being motivated by any single classification, human trafficking indicators identify objective signs that could indicate potential criminal activity. While no single indicator can confirm a human trafficking situation, several combined indicators may increase the likelihood that a person is being trafficked, or actively being targeted and recruited.   

No matter how many indicators are present, it is not proof of human trafficking. Whether or not to act on a tip is up to law enforcement, and their response may not be visibly apparent. 

General Indicators of Human Trafficking

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions.

Note that all indicators listed below are not present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. If you notice something, don’t dismiss the feeling. Trust your instincts.

Controlled

• No control of identification, documents, tickets, boarding passes, money, and/or phone. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion.
• No freedom of movement or social interaction (e.g., using the restroom unaccompanied). 
• Traveling with few or no belongings (e.g., no purse or wallet), especially for long distance travel.
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Answers may sound scripted or inconsistent; provides inconsistent stories in contrast with travel companion(s).
• Indicates they are being held against their will. 
• Acknowledges that they are controlled by a third party or are making a quota. 

Avoidant or Abused

• Avoids and distrusts authority figures, including law enforcement, and may be combative. 
• Signs of verbal threats, physical and emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Signs of neglect, malnourishment, poor hygiene, fatigue, sleep deprivation, untreated illness, injuries, and/or unusual behavior.
• May seem unusually silent, intimidated, or mentally shut down.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, depressed, nervous, hypervigilant, paranoid, or submissive behavior. 
• Exhibits signs of self-harm/suicidal ideation. 

Unaware

• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, where they have been, or how they might arrive at their final destination. 
• May appear drugged, disassociated, disoriented, or to have lost sense of time or location.
• Does not know their home or work address. 
• May not know the contact information for the person who will be meeting them or the address of their final destination. 

Minors

• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• Minors traveling without adult supervision. 
• Minors traveling during the school day.
• A child/person within a family appearing particularly unkempt and uncared for. 
• Appears to be with a group of girls traveling with an older, unrelated adult. 
• Falsifies their age.
• Minors seeking to obtain an ID or individuals seeking to obtain an ID in a different name. 

Work-Related

• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• May have limited information about specifics of anticipated employment and/or unrealistic information about the amount of money they will be earning.
• Improper clothing for work.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay. 
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Inadequate workplace equipment for job.
• A highly controlled and/or hazardous, unsafe work setting (may contain substandard, unsafe and closely monitored housing). 
• A work site that has heavy or excessive security measures that seem out of place. 
• Signs of bedding in odd locations (e.g., backroom of a store). 

Travel-Related

• Improper clothing for weather or travel route.
• References frequent travel to other cities or towns. 
• Using false identity or travel documents.

Additional General Indicators

• Has a language barrier with their travel companion.
• Appears to be with a noticeably older romantic partner. 
• Uses prepaid credit cards and gift cards.
• Offers to exchange sex for transportation, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Indicates that they have been threatened with deportation or law enforcement action. 
• Shows signs of criminal indicators, such as possession of drugs, stolen property, etc. 
• Deposits large amounts multiple times in one day.

Transportation Mode-Specific Indicators

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions.

Note that all indicators listed below are not present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. If you notice something, don’t dismiss the feeling. Trust your instincts. 

Aviation

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them. 
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash.
• Traveling with little or no money or personal items, such as luggage or carry-on bags. 
• Comes from a location known as a primary source or destination for trafficking in persons. 
• Seems unaware of what items are in their checked baggage. 

Bus (Commercial)

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them.  
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash. 

Bus (School)

• A seemingly unrelated child dropping off and picking up children at the bus stop. 
• Changes in patterns, such as attendance, personal hygiene, academic performance, or people waiting to pick them up. 
• Changes in attire, behavior, relationships, or materials possessions (e.g., expensive items).
• Signs of fatigue, substance use, irritability, mood swings, panic, or shame that weren’t there before. 
• Signs of neglect, physical and emotional abuse, malnourishment, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Mentions owing a large debt and being unable to pay it off.
• Any comments by students that suggest they are exchanging sex for money, material items, shelter, etc. 

Maritime/Ports

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them. 
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash.

Rail

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them.  
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash. 

Rideshare, Taxi, and Limousine

• Does not know the person who purchased their ride, is meeting them, and/or is traveling with them.  

Trucking

• Citizens band (CB) radio chatter about “commercial company” or flashing lights signaling “buyer” location. 
• A van or RV out by trucks that seems out of place. 
• A vehicle dropping someone off at a truck and picking them up 15-20 minutes later. 
• An individual going from truck to truck. 
• An individual spending excessive amounts of time near or in truck stop showers and bathrooms.