{"id":7164,"date":"2022-08-20T11:22:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-20T15:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/?p=7164"},"modified":"2022-08-20T11:22:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-20T15:22:00","slug":"sextortion-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/sextortion-what-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if You Become the Victim of Sextortion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block uk-card-default uk-padding\" style=\"font-size:16px\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h4>Table of Contents<\/h4><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#what-exactly-is-sextortion\">What exactly is sextortion?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-do-i-do-if-im-the-victim-of-sextortion\">What do I do if I\u2019m the victim of sextortion?\u00a0<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1-consult-a-trusted-source\">1. Consult a trusted source<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-stop-communicating-with-the-perpetrator\">2. Stop communicating with the perpetrator\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-gather-as-much-documentation-as-possible\">3. Gather as much documentation as possible<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-contact-law-enforcement-and-press-charges\">4. Contact law enforcement and press charges<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-can-i-prevent-sextortion-in-the-future\">How can I prevent sextortion in the future?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#remove-your-personal-information-from-the-internet\">Remove your personal information from the Internet<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#be-smart-on-social-media\">Be smart on social media<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#beware-of-all-suspicious-links\">Beware of all suspicious links<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#always-use-strong-passwords\">Always use strong passwords<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#cover-your-webcam-when-not-in-use\">Cover your webcam when not in use<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sign-up-with-a-data-removal-service\">Sign up with a data-removal service<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#taking-your-protection-into-your-own-hands\">Taking your protection into your own hands<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There may be no other invasion of privacy more nightmarish than someone threatening to publicly expose private, sensitive material to blackmail you for sexual favors or money.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is called sexual extortion (\u201csextortion\u201d), one of the most terrifying online privacy threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, cases of sextortion have risen recently, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studyfinds.org\/online-extortion-pandemic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">especially during the pandemic<\/a>. So, in order to stay safe, it\u2019s important to know what it is, how to stop it, and how to prevent it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-exactly-is-sextortion\">What exactly is sextortion?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sextortion is a serious crime that occurs when someone blackmails you for money or sexual favors, threatening to expose sensitive material if you don\u2019t give them what they want. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/327966075_Sextortion_Among_Adolescents_Results_From_a_National_Survey_of_US_Youth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">young males are a target group<\/a>, individuals of any age or gender can be a victim.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perpetrators frequently use fake profiles on social media or dating apps, manipulating victims into sending pictures or video to be later used as blackmail. It\u2019s also common for a perpetrator to claim to have access to a victim\u2019s web camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scenario for each case of sextorition can be vastly different, but in every case, a sextortionist\u2019s methodology is to use fear to control their victims by threatening to expose any acquired sensitive material online for the victim\u2019s friends and family to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the crime itself has often been associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/scams-and-safety\/common-scams-and-crimes\/sextortion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">connections made online, <\/a>sextortion <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thorn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Sextortion_Wave2Report_121919.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">can be committed offline<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-do-i-do-if-im-the-victim-of-sextortion\">What do I do if I\u2019m the victim of sextortion?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being targeted by sextortion can be a horrifying experience, but there are actions you can take immediately if you find yourself a victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-consult-a-trusted-source\">1. Consult a trusted source<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, it\u2019s important that you don\u2019t keep this to yourself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it can feel uncomfortable to talk to another party about these circumstances, you need to find someone you trust to explain the situation to who might be able to help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can even confer anonymously by contacting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crisistextline.org\/text-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crisis Text Line<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-stop-communicating-with-the-perpetrator\">2. Stop communicating with the perpetrator&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps most important, never trust anything a perpetrator of sextortion says to you and stop all communication with them immediately.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any correspondence with them, do not click links they send (even if they claim to have material from you), and never agree to do anything.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do continue to provide them with what they demand, it\u2019s more likely the perpetrator will just continue to blackmail you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-gather-as-much-documentation-as-possible\">3. Gather as much documentation as possible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Documentation in sextortion blackmail includes keeping screenshots of absolutely every correspondence with the perpetrator. Though you might feel compelled to delete conversations you find embarrassing, it\u2019s vital you don\u2019t.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, make sure to note any potential personal information about the perpetrator you might be able to glean from the profiles they are using, like username, email, or phone number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The collection of this evidence is essential to prove the perpetrator\u2019s attempted exploitation in the event that you are able to press charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-contact-law-enforcement-and-press-charges\">4. Contact law enforcement and press charges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Blackmail and extortion are very serious offenses in most states. Hiring a lawyer to inform you about your rights and pressing charges against the perpetrator is a highly recommended option. Contact the local law enforcement as soon as possible and file a <a href=\"http:\/\/tips.fbi.gov.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report with the FBI<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind, most perpetrators want to avoid attention, and likely won\u2019t publish material they\u2019re threatening you with. In some cases, they might not even have material in the first place. Their mission is often not to publish anything, but just to abuse you into giving them what they want.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-i-prevent-sextortion-in-the-future\">How can I prevent sextortion in the future?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sextortion is incredibly painful to deal with, but the best thing you can do after reporting an incident, and taking any or all of the actions listed above, is to immediately invest in your digital privacy and online security to prevent it from ever happening again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider taking the following steps as soon as possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"remove-your-personal-information-from-the-internet\">Remove your personal information from the Internet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The more sensitive information about you available on the Internet, the easier it is to target and harass you. Therefore, <a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/how-to-delete-myself-from-the-internet\/\">expose as little information online as possible<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make a habit of using a nickname instead of a legal name, and avoid sharing details such as hometown or names of relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"be-smart-on-social-media\">Be smart on social media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/deletemes-best-practices-for-securing-social-media\/\">Social media<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/dating-app-privacy-tinder-bumble-hinge-okcupid-grindr\/\">dating apps<\/a> are rife with <a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-phishing-scams\/\">fraudsters<\/a>, so taking extra measures to protect your privacy is essential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make all profiles private, never accept strangers as followers or friends, disable location sharing on all platforms, and delete any old accounts. Conduct a thorough background check on anyone you don\u2019t know personally before you communicate with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"beware-of-all-suspicious-links\">Beware of all suspicious links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone, even a trusted friend, sends you a link via text or email, or on social media, without an explanation (or if a message seems suspicious), never click on it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Confirm with the sender to make sure that they actually sent the link. Never take the risk of downloading malware to your device that might access your camera or microphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"always-use-strong-passwords\">Always use strong passwords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong passwords are characterized by a string of 10 to 12 characters, with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never use the same or similar passwords across any platform with an online login, including email or social media accounts, and make a habit of changing your passwords frequently.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To keep track of all your passwords in one place, we recommend using a <a href=\"https:\/\/dnt.abine.com\/#feature\/passwords\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">password manager<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cover-your-webcam-when-not-in-use\">Cover your webcam when not in use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In many cases of sextortion, perpetrators have often claimed to have access to the victim\u2019s webcam as a way to manipulate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to make sure you don\u2019t have anything to hide is to keep the web camera on your computer covered when you\u2019re not using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sign-up-with-a-data-removal-service\">Sign up with a data-removal service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To make sure your personal information stays safe and secure, and never gets compromised again, it\u2019s a good idea to sign up with a professional data-removal service like <a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/privacy-protection-plans\/\">DeleteMe<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/privacy-protection-plans\/\">DeleteMe<\/a> removes data and information that you request, and continuously monitors the web to <a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/how-to-remove-personal-information-from-the-internet\/\">ensure your personal information doesn\u2019t end up being sold online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"taking-your-protection-into-your-own-hands\">Taking your protection into your own hands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sextortion is an awful ordeal that no one should ever have to suffer. Luckily, there are ways to address it and deal with it, and steps to take to protect yourself in the future.<br>Remember, no matter what, the most important thing is to stay calm, then seek immediate help. There is assistance out there that can work with you to make the sextortion stop, and focus on preventing it from ever happening again by protecting your <a href=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/blog\/what-is-internet-privacy-guide\/\">Internet privacy<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There may be no other invasion of privacy more nightmarish than someone threatening to publicly expose private, sensitive material to blackmail you for sexual favors or money.\u00a0 This is called sexual extortion (\u201csextortion\u201d), one of the most terrifying online privacy threats. Unfortunately, cases of sextortion have risen recently, especially during the pandemic. So, in order [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":7166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-data-privacy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}