What to do if you received a sextortion message
Sextortion threats are frightening but paying rarely ends them. Keeping evidence and reporting is the safer path.
Quick answer
Sextortion threats are frightening but paying rarely ends them. Keeping evidence and reporting is the safer path.
- Do not pay and do not reply
- Do not send any further images
- Take screenshots as evidence
- Block the sender
Do this now
Contact a support line or authority; you do not have to handle this alone.
Understanding what happened
A sextortion message threatens to share private images or information unless you pay. The vast majority are mass-sent bluffs: the sender has no material and is hoping fear makes you respond. Some quote an old password from a data breach to seem credible, but that alone doesn't mean they have anything.
These messages are designed to make you panic and act in secret. Paying rarely ends it - it usually signals that you'll pay again, leading to more demands. You are not in trouble, and you have not done anything that justifies threats.
The safest response is not to pay, not to reply, and to preserve the evidence before blocking. Support is available, and reporting helps authorities track the campaigns. The steps below are calm and practical, and they don't require you to engage with the sender.
First 5 minutes
- Do not pay and do not reply
- Do not send any further images
- Take screenshots as evidence
- Block the sender
First 24 hours
- Report to your country's authority and the platform
- Tighten privacy settings on your accounts
- Tell someone you trust for support
- Preserve evidence in a safe place
What not to do
- Do not pay anyone who promises to recover your money for an upfront fee
- Do not act on follow-up messages claiming to be the fraud team
- Do not delete evidence before saving it
Evidence to save
- Screenshots of the message and sender details
- Phone numbers, usernames, links, and account or wallet addresses
- Transaction references, receipts, and amounts
How to report
Report through official channels for your area.
Find official reporting links for your country in the reporting directory.
- Do not use phone numbers or links from the suspicious message - look up the official ones yourself.
- Report quickly if money was sent or ID documents were shared; speed improves your options.
- Keep your evidence - see how to save scam evidence.
Beware of recovery scams: no legitimate service guarantees getting your money back for an upfront fee.
This is general safety information, not legal, financial, or cybersecurity incident-response advice.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly should I act?
As soon as possible. Fast action - especially contacting your bank - gives the best chance of limiting harm or stopping a payment.
Will I get my money back?
Sometimes, if you act quickly, but there is no guarantee. Be very cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed recovery for an upfront fee - that is a recovery scam.