Last Updated on July 7, 2023
We have seen the social media revolution transform our lives in many ways in recent years. The use of social media has made it possible to get an inside perspective with very little effort. Global economic activity has been boosted by Facebook’s ability to connect businesses and consumers, lower marketing hurdles, and spark transformation across the globe. In this article you’ll find the answer to the question Can You get Blackmailed on Facebook?
How can we know if Facebook is safe with so much information available? Blackmail can happen to anyone, with Facebook making your information accessible at a click of a button. In This article, we’ll discuss if it’s possible to be blackmailed on Facebook and how to keep yourself protected from this kind of situation.
So, can you get blackmailed on Facebook? The short answer is yes. Because Facebook is so user-friendly and can be used in a variety of ways, such as for business, to connect with friends, work colleagues, and even people you don’t know online. This has essentially turned Facebook into a hotbed for blackmailers and sextortionists.
What is Blackmail?
Blackmail can take many forms, it can usually be divided into three types: extortion/sextortion, coercion, and commercial pressure. The most common type of blackmail is sextortion. If you have been following along in our articles and posts you will note that sextortion and blackmail are very dangerous and can go hand in hand. For our new readers, sextortion is the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity. Because Facebook is so well known and easy to use, it has become a preying ground for potential scammers and blackmailers. How can we fight back? Keep reading for answers to all these questions ahead.
How to protect my Facebook from Blackmailers?
- The first step you can take to keep your accounts safe from blackmailers is to set your Facebook account as private as possible. A study shows that only about 57 percent of Facebook users keep their Facebook accounts private. Keeping your account on private can hide important information like email, phone number, address, work history, or even family members from potential blackmailers and scammers.
- Keep your account secure. Use a strong password and 2-factor Identification. Facebook’s two-factor authentication adds another level of security to your account by connecting it with a different device. If anyone attempts to sign in from an unfamiliar device, the two-factor authentication system will send a unique code to your mobile device or a third party.
- Do not add people you do not know. The fact that they have similar accounts as some of your friends does not mean that they are not blackmailers or fake accounts! If you are unsure of the account, you can try reverse image searching their profile picture. If the search brings up numerous accounts it is most likely fake.
- Don’t send sensitive information to someone you don’t know and trust. You never know when someone could exploit it.
Can you Report Blackmail on Facebook?
Yes! Online blackmail can sometimes be prevented by reporting posts on Facebook that seem threatening. You can do this by clicking the three dots in the top right corner of the post. Selecting ‘Report Post’, and then choosing any or all that apply. Facebook will then no longer allow this person to see your profile or messages if you block them. Depending on whether or not others should be able to see certain things like friend status updates, personal photos, and videos from real-world events is up to you. You can decide what kind of privacy settings make sense for you.
Although Facebook has measures in place to prevent blackmail, it is still a possibility. If you are the victim of extortion on Facebook, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement. Cyber Investigation is experienced in helping victims of online crime. We will work with you to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Have you been a victim of blackmail on Facebook? Let us know in the comments below.
