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- A blackmail email scam relies on public information, using a person's name, address and even a street view image of where they live.
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What is blackmail email scam?
Are online blackmail scams utilizing your public information?
Are blackmail emails threatening to expose personal information?
Can you report a blackmail scam?
Sep 4, 2024 · A blackmail email scam relies on public information, using a person's name, address and even a street view image of where they live.
- Push And Platforms Editor
- 3 min
- CBS News
Aug 17, 2022 · Beware of blackmail and sextortion emails threatening to expose your personal information. Fraudsters are sending emails claiming they’ve accessed your account and will expose your details - it’s a scam and here’s how to avoid falling for it.
- What Is Blackmail Email Scam?
- What Is Sextortion Email Scam?
- What Should I Do If I Receive Blackmail / Sextortion emails?
- Why Does Blackmail / Sextortion Email Scam Work?
- Keep Calm & Carry on
One example is the blackmail email scam, in which scammers claim that your corporate, personal or health information has been found leaked in a data breach. The sender threatens to send the pictures, videos or sensitive information to all of your contacts unless you pay them money. These blackmail email scams are very common and continue to evolve.
There’re also sextortion email scams, where an aspect of sexual content, emphasized by scammers as shameful, persuades you into doing their bidding — e.g., intimidating blackmail emails claiming that you have been observed doing something sensitive while watching pornographic videos.
DO NOT PAY THE RANSOM! And more importantlyDO NOT REPLY, because sometimes a scammer will escalate if you reply. If they really had a video or picture of you they will at least show some proof like...Don’t open any attachments. Don’t take the chance, it might contain real malware.Just in case they show you a password of yours, double checkif it is an old password. Scammers buy dumps of old email accounts and passwords on the darknet that were disseminated in data leaks.If they show you a password that you are currently using, change it. Never use that password again and it is recommended to use Two-Factor Authentication.It is because of fear. People assume they will never be a victim but in reality, we are prone to phishing attacks. Well-fabricated explanations by a scammer will likely make the scam more credible. The fear will do the rest and with the addition of shame, people can make irrational decision.
Blackmail and sextortion emails can be scary, but remember that these scam emails are designed to inject fear. If they really have what they are claiming they have, they will provide an accurate sample to you. It is either a screenshot of the video or a sample of personal/corporate information. These scams are very common and continue to evolve. Tr...
Oct 13, 2023 · Learn about the alarming rise of sextortion scams and how they work. Discover how to protect yourself from this deeply personal form of blackmail that targets young adults online.
This guidance explains what to do if you've received an email that's trying to blackmail you. The email may state that your login details have been compromised, or may threaten to reveal some...
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Jul 26, 2024 · Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns the public about sextortion, in which scammers blackmail victims into giving them money. Sextortion includes threats to expose explicit videos or images of the...
Sep 20, 2013 · Cyber-blackmail is the act of threatening to share information about a person to the public, their friends or family, unless a demand is met or money is paid. Safety tips on how to avoid being...
