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The Federal Trade Commission is warning people who are being blackmailed over intimate images about a second trap: paid sextortion help services that charge thousands of dollars and, the agency alleges, deliver little. In an October 13 consumer alert, the FTC said the company it sued, Digital Forensics, “falsely promised to stop sextortion threats.” The alert’s advice for anyone being threatened is short: “Don’t pay them or give them access to your devices or financial accounts.”
What the FTC alleges about sextortion help services
The agency sued Digital Forensics, which operates sites including BlackmailHelpline.com. Beyond promising to stop threats, the FTC alleges the company promised to keep explicit material from spreading and to report perpetrators to authorities. Customers, it says, paid thousands of dollars and did not get what was promised. These are allegations in a lawsuit, not findings, and the alert does not report an outcome. The FTC’s press release on the lawsuit has the agency’s description of the case.
How to vet a company before paying
The FTC’s test starts with a search for the company name “with words like ‘scam,’ ‘review,’ or ‘complaint.'” The alert also cautions that scammers can buy ads to appear first in search results, so a top listing proves nothing. A guarantee of results, or a request for money up front to make a threat disappear, is another warning sign. Sextortion help services that charge for what police and platforms handle at no cost deserve the most suspicion.
Where the free help is
“Report the perpetrator to your local police and to the FBI,” the alert says. The FBI takes tips at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-225-5324. When a minor is involved, the alert points to the CyberTipline run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. For images already posted, it cites the law: “The Take It Down Act requires online platforms to remove intimate images within 48 hours of your request.” If a platform does not act in that time, the alert directs people to TakeItDown.ftc.gov.
Support beyond reporting
The alert lists two free support lines. “Minors, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-800-843-5678).” “Adults, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233).” It also suggests talking to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member or counselor. Blackmail often begins with a message from a stranger, and our guides on spotting a scam text and on government impersonation scams cover early warning signs shared by many schemes. This article is general information, not legal advice.
