How to protect yourself from sextortion

Financial sextortion — where someone threatens to share intimate images unless you pay — has risen sharply and frequently targets men aged 18–30. It is never your fault, and there are clear steps to take.

How to lower your risk

• Be cautious sharing intimate images, especially early with someone unverified.
• Verify who you're talking to with a video call.
• Use platforms that detect and block blackmail attempts.

If you're being blackmailed

• Do not pay. Paying rarely stops it and often invites more demands.
• Stop communicating and don't delete anything — preserve evidence.
• Report it: in the U.S., the NCMEC CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org) and the FBI.
• Tell someone you trust. You are not alone, and this is not your fault.