Protect Yourself from Webcam Blackmail Scams
A recent surge in webcam blackmail scams is alarming individuals worldwide. Criminals are emailing people, falsely claiming they have hacked their computers or webcams and recorded compromising images or videos.
They demand payment, usually in cryptocurrency, threatening to release these images if the ransom isn’t paid. To make the scam more convincing, the emails often include personal information, such as birth dates and addresses, likely obtained from past data breaches.
Despite these threats, there is no evidence that scammers actually have access to recipients’ devices or webcams. The goal is to pressure people into paying quickly by playing on fears of embarrassment and reputational harm.
How to Recognize the Scam:
- You receive an unexpected email claiming to have compromising information about you.
- The scammer demands money in exchange for keeping this information private.
- You feel pressured to respond quickly to avoid potential damage.
What You Should Do:
- Stop: Do not respond or send money to these scammers.
- Check: Consult a computer expert if concerned about your device’s security.
- Protect: If you’ve been affected, contact your bank immediately to report the scam and prevent further transactions.
Source scamwatch