What to Do If You're Being Sextorted Right Now

NCMEC says the blackmailer is to blame, not you. Here are the steps NCMEC and the FBI list for what to do now.

Researched: October 2026

Quick overview

  • NCMEC says to get help before deciding whether to pay, because cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail.
  • Block the account, but don't delete your profile or messages. NCMEC says they can help stop the blackmailer.
  • Report the account through the platform's safety feature, and report to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
  • Images of minors go through NCMEC ([email protected] or 1-800-THE-LOST). Images of people over 18 go through StopNCII.

If the person being targeted is under 18, this is never a paid matter. Go straight to NCMEC ([email protected] or 1-800-THE-LOST) or the CyberTipline, and involve a trusted adult and law enforcement. Full guidance.

If someone is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Call, text or chat 988.

What this is

NCMEC describes sextortion as a form of child sexual exploitation where children are threatened or blackmailed, most often with the possibility of sharing a nude or sexual image of them. The person making the threat demands additional sexual content, sexual activity or money.

How it starts

The FBI says it can start on any site, app, messaging platform or game where people meet and communicate. NCMEC says the blackmailer may have stolen or taken images of another person and be communicating through a fake account.

Financial sextortion

The FBI says that in financial sextortion, the offender receives sexually explicit material from the child and then threatens to release it unless the victim sends money or gift cards. It says the offender often releases the material whether or not they receive payment.

What to do right now

  1. 1

    Remember who is to blame

    NCMEC says the blackmailer is to blame, not you. Even if you made a choice you regret, what they are doing is a crime.

  2. 2

    Get help before you pay

    NCMEC says to get help before deciding whether to pay money or otherwise comply with the blackmailer. It says cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail.

  3. 3

    Report the account and block it, but don't delete anything

    Report the account through the platform's safety feature. Block the suspect, but do not delete your profile or messages. NCMEC says they can be helpful in stopping the blackmailer.

  4. 4

    Report it to the FBI

    Contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, report it online at tips.fbi.gov, or contact local law enforcement. If a child is involved, you can also contact NCMEC at [email protected] or 1-800-THE-LOST.

  5. 5

    Get the images taken down

    The FBI points to NCMEC's Take It Down for images of minors and to StopNCII for non-consensual intimate images of anyone over 18.

If the image is posted

The free channels above still apply. The Google request and the platform removal tools are covered in the main guide linked under Related below.

If the site hosting it doesn't respond, see our unresponsive site guide.

Common questions

I already sent a small payment. Should I keep paying?

NCMEC says to get help before deciding whether to pay, and that cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail. The FBI says the offender often releases the material whether or not they receive payment.

Am I in trouble for the original photo or video?

The FBI tells young people that they are not the one who is breaking the law. It says this holds even if they felt okay about making some of the content, or accepted money or a game credit. The FBI says sextortion is a crime because it is illegal and wrong for an adult to ask for, pay for, or demand graphic images from a minor.

I'm afraid to tell anyone. What should I do?

The FBI says the criminals count on the victim feeling too unsure, scared or embarrassed to tell someone. It says young people being exploited are victims of a crime and should report it. If you're not ready to speak to the FBI, it says to go to another trusted adult, or to contact NCMEC.

Why shouldn't I delete the conversation?

NCMEC says to block the suspect but not to delete your profile or messages, because they can be helpful in stopping the blackmailer.

What if the person being targeted is a teenager?

NCMEC says teenage boys have been the most common targets in recent cases. Contact NCMEC at [email protected] or 1-800-THE-LOST, report to the CyberTipline, and tell a trusted adult. Take It Down is NCMEC's free service for getting explicit images of a minor removed.

How can I help a friend who is being sextorted?

The FBI says to listen with kindness and understanding, and to tell them you are sorry this is happening and that you want to help. Let them know they are the victim of a crime and have not done anything wrong. Encourage them to ask for help, and help them identify a trusted adult to tell.

Related

Already dealing with a posted image? See our main Private Image Removal guide, our Deepfake Removal guide, or our unresponsive site guide.