How to Get Rid of Blackmailers: A Full Guide

If you want to learn how to get rid of blackmailers, you need to have a good knowledge of how these types of people move on the Internet. These practices have grown in recent years due to the spread of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, among others. 

In this post, we will teach you how to get rid of a blackmailer in the safest way possible. Also, we will offer helpful advice on how to deal with different blackmail situations and deal with them intelligently.

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What is Blackmail on the Internet?

Blackmail on the internet is a set of strategies used by various users to obtain benefits from one or more people. The main purpose of these people is to get money in exchange for not leaking very personal information such as Social Security Number (SSN), personal pictures or videos, or personal identification number (PIN).  

To do this, they use threat methods with which they can prove that they certainly have your most private data. Some of them are:

• Emails: This method often involves sending messages that end up in your “SPAM” folder, allowing the sender to deliver threats discreetly. Many victims might not notice the warning signs, making it easier for the blackmailers to manipulate them.

• Social Media: These platforms are widely used because they give blackmailers direct communication channels. Messages are quickly reported on your profile, allowing victims to take immediate action against threats while making it harder for extortionists to hide.

• Direct Messages: Offenders typically maintain contact through scam messages, using platforms like WhatsApp to steal phone numbers, accounts, and personal information. This method allows them to target victims directly and extract sensitive data.

In 2023, reports of social media and email hacking increased by 8%, rising from 13,500 to 14,600, according to RPC data, showing how both platforms have become direct channels for blackmailers to employ various types of blackmail tactics.

Learn the difference between blackmail and extortion to protect yourself on social media platforms. 

How Many Types of Blackmail are There?

To understand how to get rid of blackmailers it’s important to know their different types. Each style of blackmail has characteristics that, right off the bat, are useful for knowing how to act. Here are the most common types of blackmail:

1. Sextortion

Some blackmailers use this tactic, where they take control of your computer’s webcam. After that, they may ask that you perform sexually abusive actions. Therefore, they will obtain very sensitive audiovisual material, with which they can use to gain more control over you.

2. Revenge Porn

This modus operandi consists of the mass distribution of intimate images or videos of the victim without their consent. The hacker uses this power to blackmail the affected person if he does not comply with his demands.

While initiatives like the Revenge Porn Helpline have successfully removed over 305,000 non-consensually shared intimate images online since its launch in 2015, users still need to understand what to do if someone threatens to leak personal pictures.

3. Personal Information

This is one of the most important methods in this guide on how to get rid of blackmailers. Scammers who practice this type of crime have confidential information such as Social Security numbers, credit card data, among others.

They usually threaten to disclose such content or take advantage of it unless their demands are met. It’s one of the most common and popular online blackmail strategies today.

4. Catfishing

It’s a model of virtual blackmail that is characterized by using social networks as the main hunting ground. Fraudsters create fake profiles to gain the trust of their victims and make them share intimate personal content. With this material, blackmailers have the necessary power to blackmail the affected person. 

Catfishing is particularly common on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder, according to Zipdo. As the relationship progresses, it can turn into criminal fraud, such as:

• Using someone else’s image without permission, which breaks intellectual property laws.
• Trick people into giving money or goods through false pretenses.
• Defaming or damaging the reputation of the person being impersonated.
• Pretending to be the victim to engage in illegal activities, sometimes involving minors.

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How to Get Rid of Blackmailers?

Finding a scam or blackmail message in your inbox can be extremely stressful. The threat of posting private photos or messages and seeing the evidence can be scary. Now that you are in this situation, you must ask yourself, “How do I get out of this problem?”.

If you want to learn how to get rid of blackmailers, it is important that you pay attention to the following:

1. Cut Off All Communication Immediately

One of the worst things you can do when dealing with this type of person is to respond to their messages. We understand your concern and state of desperation, but sharing messages with the offender will simply make the situation worse.

Instead, avoid responding to their messages, even if they are constant. Responding to a blackmailers messages will put you at a greater disadvantage. Therefore, try to delete messages without reading them each time a new one arrives.

2.  Block the Blackmailer Right Away

Blocking the email, profile, or phone number from all possible spaces is essential in this process. Set up your social networks and contact accounts so that no one can access your personal information if you do not allow them to.

Ask your close friends or family members to do the same as soon as you receive the first message from the offender. The less room for maneuver the extortionist has, the better your chances of a positive outcome.

3. Reach Out for Support

One of the most important steps in learning how to get rid of blackmailers is knowing how to get emotional support. In these situations, stress and anxiety can cause you to take fear-based actions.

That’s why seeking the support of a trusted family member or friend is essential to get through this bad time. Take care of yourself and give your perspective on the facts to someone who makes you feel safe and comfortable. As a result, your future decisions will be made with greater confidence and less despair.

4. Document Everything

From the first message you receive from the blackmailer, make sure you document the entire process. Take screenshots of the texts you receive and save the email addresses from which you are contacted.

If the offender has contact with you via social networks, save their name and personal account information, if accessible. If the person has previously posted content, do not download or view it. In this way, you prevent the material from reaching more people.

5. Report the Blackmail

Every online communication platform has a support team available 24 hours a day. If you wish, you can file a report informing the site administrators about your situation.

In just a matter of hours, a special team will give you information on how to get rid of blackmailers. With the necessary advice, you will have the tools to deal with the problem and with the virtual help you need.

In some cases, technical support may prevent you from receiving further messages from unknown contacts on their platform, unless you have sent a message first, for example.

6. Get Legal and Professional Help

Blackmail, even if done online, is still a crime that is punishable by law in many countries, such as the United States with the 18 U.S. Code, section 873. Therefore, if you are involved in this problem, you have the necessary resources to make an official complaint. 

We recommend that you contact a lawyer to provide legal advice in this process. If the offender is identified, you will have the necessary grounds to take him to court. It’s also important that you contact a mental health counselor so that you can get through this traumatizing process more easily.

Extra Advice to Get Rid of a Blackmailer Online

Avoiding becoming a victim of an online extortionist is quite simple if you follow certain basic security guidelines. To avoid falling victim to online blackmailing, follow these basic security practices: 

• Do not access links from unknown websites that you see on social networks or emails. Try using scam website detectors to check suspicious webs. 
• Do not pay attention to e-mails supposedly sent from banking entities that you normally use. To verify the veracity of these messages, check the e-mail address or contact your bank to clarify any doubts.
• Keep your computer properly protected from any type of attack or hacking. Confirm that the firewall and antivirus are working properly.
• Create long and complex passwords for all your online accounts, including social networks, banks, and other sites.
• Update your operating system constantly to strengthen defenses against ransomware attacks. Each update includes improved protection against new malware. 
• Back up all your personal information in the cloud or, if possible, on a USB or hard drive not connected to your computer. Encrypt this information to make it much more inaccessible to external users.

Getting Rid of Blackmailers: An Everyday Task

With all this information, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of how to deal with blackmailers. These tips will help you avoid online scamming and protect your personal data and money, allowing you to stay connected with family and friends while using social platforms more safely.

Staying safe online is a task you should take very seriously, especially if you spend a lot of time on the internet. Once you take basic protection habits we share on our Cryptoscam Defense Network blog, you will create an impenetrable shield for any hacker or blackmailer.

Photos via Unsplash and AI-generated with Fliki.