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Blackmail and sextortionElephant level

Anonymous emails threatening to expose you with false information

The situation

You receive anonymous emails threatening to expose you publicly using false personal information. What should you do?

The right reflex

Take screenshots of the emails, report the incident to your email service provider and ask for advice on how to handle the situation

Explanation and advice

If you receive anonymous threats by email involving false personal information, it is essential not to give in to the senders’ demands. Take screenshots of the emails as evidence, then report the incident to your email service provider straight away to get advice on handling the situation safely and effectively. Keeping evidence is crucial in case of a future investigation. If you feel threatened or your privacy rights are being violated, consider contacting the relevant authorities and providing them with all the evidence needed to protect your safety online. Don’t hesitate to talk about the situation with a trusted adult for additional support.

If you face online harassment, remember these 5 steps

  1. Take screenshots: they are your evidence.
  2. Report the content or the account to the platform.
  3. Talk to someone you trust so you don't face it alone.
  4. Contact the relevant authorities with your evidence.
  5. File a complaint if needed, with support.
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