Let’s talk about something that no one really wants to talk about—but too many people are going through.
If someone is threatening to share private, explicit, or embarrassing images of you—whether real, fake, or manipulated—and using them to scare or blackmail you… This space is for you.
It might feel like your whole world is about to collapse. Like you’ve done something wrong. Like you can’t tell anyone.
But you’re not alone. And you’re not powerless.
This is a safe, judgment-free zone where we break it all down—what sextortion is, how these scammers operate, and most importantly, how you can protect yourself and take back control.
No scare tactics. No shame. Just facts, support, and a reminder that you will get through this.
Rule number one: don’t reply. Not even a “please stop” or “I know it’s fake.” Nothing. Every response is fuel to them. Just block them on every platform—Snap, Insta, TikTok, WhatsApp, whatever—and move on.
They thrive off your panic. Going totally silent makes you boring—and useless—to them.
You’ve got two paths here:
Either way, you’re taking back control of your space.
If you have copies of the images they’re using—whether real, edited, AI-generated, or screenshots—you’re not stuck. Head to TakeItDown.NCMEC.org. It’s a free tool run by people who actually care. Upload the photos (they don’t keep them), and they’ll create a digital “fingerprint” that social platforms use to block the image from being posted.
Think of it like a bouncer for your online identity.
Here’s the truth scammers don’t want you to know: leaking is bad business. Once they leak the images, they lose their leverage. Plus, platforms ban them. So most of the time, they’re bluffing.
You’re not the first person they’ve tried this on, and you won’t be the last. To them, it’s just a game of numbers. Your silence makes you the wrong target.
Reporting feels scary, but it matters. In the U.S., you can go to:
It feels huge now, but it won’t feel this way forever.
Contact a support line. You don’t have to explain everything — just start.
Not in the U.S.? Google your country’s cybercrime reporting portal. Most have one.
Trust me, reporting doesn’t make it worse. It makes it better.
If you paid them, you can still fight back. Report it to your bank or the app (Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, etc.). Ask for a reversal. Criminal payments often get blocked automatically anyway, and the scammer won’t even know you reported it.
You’re not just protecting yourself. You’re blocking their next move.
If they have your number and won’t shut up, filter them out. On iPhone, it’s literally one toggle:
Settings → Messages → Filter Unknown Senders.
No more anxiety buzzes from random numbers.
If they’re extra persistent, change your number. Most carriers make it easy and free. Fresh start, full stop.
Sextortion messes with your head. It makes you feel like you did something wrong, like you should hide. But that’s exactly what scammers want.
Talking about it—even just to read this far—is powerful. You’re already doing more than most.
So here’s your reminder: You didn’t deserve this. You’re not stupid. You’re not weak. You’re being targeted by garbage people who rely on silence to win.
Let’s make some noise instead.
