Being blackmailed is not something anyone wants to experience. Online blackmail is a particular issue because of its widespread reach and the anonymity it offers its perpetrators. This has led to a growing epidemic of online blackmail that has put every user at risk. It’s more important than ever to understand what to do if you’re being extorted and how to reduce your risk of being targeted.
What Should I Do If Someone Is Blackmailing Me Online?
Having your private information weaponized against you is unsettling and terrifying. However, thousands of people deal with being blackmailed every year. According to the 2024 IC3 report, the FBI received over 86,000 extortion-related complaints, which included reports of online blackmail. When someone blackmails you, your response is an incredibly important factor in how the situation will end. If you are being blackmailed, follow these steps to protect yourself.
Don’t Panic
Blackmailers want you to panic and make rash decisions without thinking. That’s why they will use aggressive language and send a barrage of hostile messages to the victim. They will also use urgency in the form of short deadlines. All these tactics are meant to make the situation feel so overwhelming that the victim sees compliance as the only solution. However, you should avoid panicking and respond to being blackmailed carefully.
Gather Evidence
Users can edit or delete messages on online platforms. As such, it’s important to preserve the blackmail evidence so you can trigger an investigation into the perpetrator. Make sure to take screenshots of messages and other relevant evidence of being blackmailed.
Never Comply when Being Blackmailed
You may feel pressured to comply with the criminal’s demands, but doing so is an ineffective way to end the blackmail. Giving in to the blackmailer signals that you are susceptible to their tactics. This can escalate the situation and embolden the perpetrator to demand more. Once the blackmail starts, it’s best to immediately stop communicating with the perpetrator.
Report the Incident to Platform Administrators
Digital blackmail typically occurs on online platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Blackmailers will create fake online profiles, posing as legitimate entities or trusted individuals. Then, they will message and trick potential victims into giving the blackmailer access to their sensitive information.
Online platforms have implemented tools to combat online blackmail, including a reporting system and AI detectors for fake accounts. Reporting the blackmailer’s profile and messages to the platform administrators can result in their account being removed.
Notify the Authorities
Victims of online blackmail should always report the incident to the authorities. Your local law enforcement can help you file a police report and officially record the crime for potential use in future legal actions. They may also have a special cybercrime division that can launch an investigation into the crime. However, the authority of police is restricted to local jurisdictions.
If the blackmailer is across state lines or out of the country, you will need to report the crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The IC3 is the national reporting center for cybercrime. It tracks cybercrime trends across the country and FBI agents can refer to the IC3 to identify cases to investigate. You can report to the IC3 at your local field office or by visiting their website.
Secure your Account
Blackmailers will exploit any compromising information they have about you, either by gaining access to your devices or by tricking you into sending it directly to them. However, there are ways you can secure your account, reducing the risk of future blackmail attempts. Here are a few ways to secure your account:
- Change your password. Your passwords should be strong and unique to each account. Make sure they are at least 12 characters long, mixing letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA is a security setting that verifies every log in to your account by sending you an email or text message. It can protect your account in case your password is exposed. Check Have I Been Pwned to see if your password or emails have been publicly compromised in a data breach.
- Verify account recovery information. If you are out of your account, you can use a secondary email address to regain access. However, you need to make sure all your account recovery information is up to date.
- Update privacy settings. Blackmailers will often use the information about you that is available online to create a sophisticated trap. Not only can stricter privacy settings on social media restrict who can contact you, but it can also limit who can view your account.
Emotional and Legal Support for Those Being Blackmailed
Being blackmailed can trigger intense emotions like anxiety, stress, and even PTSD. It’s important to seek out emotional support as a victim to help you through this experience. Fortunately, there are resources that can help victims of blackmail deal with the emotional toll of the experience. The following are organizations to take note of:
- Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI). The CCRI offers support for victims of image-based sexual abuse. They have a 24/7 helpline for emotional support, legal resources, and educational resources.
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This non-profit supports exploited children in many ways. They have a Cybertipline for people to report particular forms of blackmail and any NCII abuse against minors. The NCMEC also has a call center available 24/7.
- Trusted friend, family member, or counselor. Talking with someone you trust about what you are going through can help alleviate the stress of the situation. Having a trusted confidant can make the process of dealing with online blackmail more manageable.
Someone is Trying to Blackmail Me. Can a Cybersecurity Firm Help?
Private cybersecurity firms have the expertise and state-of-the-art technology to help victims of online blackmail. Every online interaction leaves data behind, and these experts can use digital forensics to follow the trail. By tracing the online footprint of the perpetrator, cybersecurity professionals can unmask their geolocation and identity.
On top of identifying the perpetrator, private cybersecurity firms can also scan the internet for any unauthorized sharing of your private information and work to mitigate the damage of the exposure. These experts can also take on your case without delay, immediately catering to your needs.
If you are being blackmailed and need professional help, contact Cyber Investigation Inc. We are a cybersecurity firm that specializes in supporting blackmail victims and in taking the fight to the criminal responsible. Report your blackmail case to one of our experts today!
