The FTC uses the information it gets from people who report scams to keep close watch on trends, so we can alert you to changes. Here’s one: reports of Bitcoin blackmail scams have taken a big jump in the last few weeks. The emails say they hacked into your computer and recorded you visiting adult websites. They threaten to distribute the video to your friends and family within hours, unless you pay into their Bitcoin account. Stop. Don’t pay anything. Delete the message. It’s a scam.
Based on the timing of this spike, you may get one of these messages because your email was exposed in a recent data breach. The scammers may say they have access to your computer or webcam, or installed clever software to defeat you. That’s all talk. But they may really know one of your old – or recent – passwords, and they include it in the message to prove it. When you see that, you know it’s time to update your password on that account, and consider updating other passwords, too.
If you, or someone you know, get a message like this, please report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
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In reply to I received THREE e-mails for by Milad.matta
In reply to Did the FTC respond? What by Margaret Harris
In reply to My husband received two by rjouhl1110
In reply to I got a similar email by rm
In reply to My husband received two by rjouhl1110
In reply to I received the same threat - by Coach P
In reply to For those receiving by Penny
If you report it at www.FTC.gov/Complaint, you can copy & paste the email and header into the report. When you report, there's a place to tell us what happened in your own words. That's where you can copy & paste the message. Thanks.
In reply to If you report it at www.FTC by FTC Staff
In reply to After I click on "Complaint" by SickofBitcoinThreats
In reply to If you report it at www.FTC by FTC Staff
In reply to If you report it at www.FTC by FTC Staff
In reply to If you report it at www.FTC by FTC Staff
In reply to For those receiving by Penny
In reply to What is the header info and by DoubleD
In reply to For those receiving by Penny
In reply to I have received one of the by Paul
In reply to I can not send to the email by MecutiePie2
You don't need to send the scam email to the FTC. You can make report to the FTC. You do not need to give your name or personal information when you report. You choose how much information to give. Go to www.FTC.gov/Complaint to report the scam.
In reply to This is very old news. They by welcomeMatt
It's old news, but, as you said - it's persistent. We want people to know it's out there.
In reply to It's old news, but by FTC Staff
In reply to This is very old news. They by welcomeMatt
In reply to It may be very old news for by Mr B
In reply to It isn't old news...it is by PJHE
In reply to I just got one today 2/15/21, by Me H
In reply to Yeah, I got mine 03/15/2021. by Zandra
In reply to I received one on 3/28/2021 by Crystal k
In reply to Just got one today 4-19-21 by Solow
In reply to I received two of these by Firefighter John
In reply to out of interest which site? by anon
In reply to I received two of these by Firefighter John
In reply to I am one of those somebodys by Alex A.
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In reply to Hey Alex, I know what you by Regularguy
In reply to I am one of those somebodys by Alex A.
In reply to Thanks Alex. by DE
In reply to I am one of those somebodys by Alex A.
In reply to I am one of those somebodys by Alex A.
Pagination