How to Deal with Blackmail

Extortion is the illegal act of using threats to force victims to give money, personal property or services against their will. ^{[1] X Research Sources} Blackmailers often threaten to use force, reveal sensitive information, or harm victims’ loved ones to achieve their goals. Dealing with blackmail can be a very stressful process. Knowing how to best handle and prevent this situation in the future will help reduce the stress and anxiety of dealing with blackmailers.

Table of Contents

Dealing with Blackmail

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Assess situation. The opportunists can find ways to take advantage of very small clues to blackmail. They may overhear some private conversation and try to exploit it, or they may have sensitive images and threaten to release them if their demands are not met. When assessing the situation, you need to be honest and thoughtful. Think about how harmful information in the hands of a blackmailer can be, and whether he or she is a real threat. You should consider the following aspects: ^{[2] X Research Sources}

Is your job at risk? Would you risk losing your job if that information was revealed?
Does this situation pose a danger to others? Even if you were not harmed, would someone suffer physical or emotional harm as a result of the blackmail?
What is the worst-case scenario? Real blackmail isn’t just annoying. It can lead to irreparable damage both physically and mentally. Based on the background of the blackmailer, assess the worst-case scenario and ask yourself if the consequences are too serious to ignore.

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Reacting to a known blackmailer. Unfortunately, blackmail often comes from people you know, even once trusted — friends, schoolmates, ex-lovers, even family members. A close relationship with the blackmailer can make it difficult to defuse the situation by taking legal action.

If the person is someone you know, it’s usually in the form of “spoofing,” which requires you to stay close or prolong the relationship in exchange for the person not disclosing information. This is still blackmail, and you are entitled to legal protection.
If the threat may affect your physical safety, you should immediately report it to law enforcement. Even if no immediate action is taken, keeping the blackmail case on file will help you in the event that legal action is needed.
If you need to talk to someone to relieve the pressure when a blackmailer threatens to reveal your sexual orientation or gender identity, you can contact a support center for the LGBT community. However, you should note that they cannot directly help you with the blackmail case. They are voluntary consultants and not legal professionals and are not a substitute for authority. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Talk to someone you trust. When faced with trouble, anxiety causes us to often exaggerate the situation. In times like these, it’s a good idea to seek advice from someone who is sincere and trustworthy.

You can put your trust in someone like a religious leader, a friend, or a psychotherapist.
The opinions of outsiders can provide an overview of the situation. Even if they can’t help you find a solution, you’ll be relieved to know that you’re not alone. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Disarm the blackmailer. If you find that the information does not pose a significant danger, disclose it yourself before the blackmailer has a chance.

By doing this, you will neutralize the weapon the blackmailer is holding.
This also shows your strength through honesty and taking responsibility.
You can also gain the sympathy and support of friends and family.
Making everything public will help you control the buzz around that information and bring the blackmailers with their evil schemes to light. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Withhold all evidence of blackmail. Please keep all legally valid images and conversations between you and the blackmailer. Save voicemail and record conversations.

All of the above information is needed for attorneys and law enforcement to determine if your case qualifies for prosecution. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Find law enforcement. If you find the information a blackmailer uses to threaten to be too dangerous to disclose, contact law enforcement. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Law enforcement consists of staff trained to prosecute blackmailers.
They can protect you from blackmailers who threaten to use force to harm your health.
While it may not be easy, you may be asked to prolong the negotiation process with the blackmailer. This is because many cases require evidence of a written or recorded threat to accompany a demand for money. Do whatever the police ask you to do, no matter how difficult or heartbreaking it may be.

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Hire an attorney if necessary. Law enforcement will let you know if an attorney can help you defend your rights.

Lawyers are knowledgeable about the legal system and can suggest solutions that are not known to ordinary people.
With the right grounds, lawyers can succeed in prosecuting the blackmail case and sending the perpetrators to prison. ^{[8] X Research Sources}^{[9] X Research Sources}

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Never handle things on your own. Do not act thoughtlessly or seek revenge. Blackmail is a serious offense that will itself receive the appropriate punishment.

When you injure, terrorize, or try to harm an extortionist, you are also committing a crime, and you are narrowing your chances of getting justice. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Protect records against blackmailers

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Keep records in a safe place. Records containing sensitive information may be stored in a safe or locked file cabinet at a bank.

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Keep only what is necessary. Some documents require long-term preservation, others can be destroyed within a certain period of time. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Never throw away your tax records. These records should be filed and kept in case it is necessary to compare. Electronic or online tax filing services like Quickbooks or TaxACT will keep your tax records for an annual fee.
Keep all records relating to property ownership. In the event of a divorce, property dispute or bankruptcy, keep all mortgage and home ownership records.
Keep records of pension receipts. This is to avoid overpaying taxes and to track any contributions.
Retain donation records and investment reports for 3 years.
Cancel ATM withdrawals, bank statements, money orders, and credit card purchases. After you have reconciled each invoice with your bank’s electronic statement, destroy all of them.

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Buy a shredder. Using a shredder is the safest way to get rid of any sensitive records, unnecessary bills, duplicates and expired credit cards. Shredders come in many different forms, but the cross cutter is the safest.

Protecting electronic information against blackmailers

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Password protection. This means never sharing passwords via email or chat. You should also use password management software like Last Pass or Keepass, whereby your passwords will be encrypted and stored until you need to use them. ^{[12] X Research Sources}^{[13] X Research Sources}

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Don’t save passwords in the browser. Some browsers have options to save passwords when you visit certain websites. If you share a computer with other people, any user can see your bank account information, email or other personal data.

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Protect sensitive files. Password protect files you don’t want others to see and/or consider saving sensitive files on a portable hard drive to keep in your personal safe or bank safe.

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Use an anti-virus program. So the new virus will not harm your computer.

Trojans can get your information on your hard drive, even take control of your computer’s camera and take pictures when you’re not paying attention. ^{[14] X Research Source}
Ransomware can encrypt any information on the hard drive and not return it until it is paid. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Beware of unsecured wi-fi networks. While it’s easy to be tempted to connect to an unsecured network because it’s free to use, when you view sensitive or private information on an unsecured network, others can see it too. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Prevention and reporting of “phishing” (spoofing attack). Phishing occurs when you receive an email posing as a legitimate person, website or service provider that you trust, asking you for sensitive personal or financial information. have a cold.

Legitimate service providers will never ask you to provide them with such information via email, as this puts you at security risk. ^{[17] X Research Source}
If you receive emails like this, most email platforms have a “Report” feature to notify providers of these threats in order to neutralize them.
Dispose of e-waste properly. Before you throw away old hard drives for recycling – even those that are not working – be sure to erase all personal information with a final “scan”. This ensures that no one can try to get the information in it.

Advice

Note that some courts distinguish between “intimidation for gain” and “blackmail” and each is treated differently, based on a variety of evidence. Please consult a lawyer about the laws related to your legal rights. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Steps

Dealing with Blackmail

Protect records against blackmailers

Protecting electronic information against blackmailers

Advice

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