You may think that crimes like extortion only happen to other people, or that the only victims are the wealthy, the famous and the well connected. It would be nice to think that, but the sad fact is that extortion can happen to anyone. Whether it is a hacker who threatens to reveal your ID and passwords to a criminal gang or an ex-partner who threatens to reveal intimate details about your relationship or compromising photographs or videos, extortion is a crime that can happen to anyone.
The fact that extortion can happen to anyone means that everyone need to take proactive steps to protect themselves and stop the potential victimizers in their tracks. The fact is there are simple things you can do to protect yourself from the threat of extortion and avoid becoming a victim of this growing type of crime. Here are some tips to get you started.
Safeguard Your Computer
These days a great many extortion efforts originate in the online world, so simply safeguarding your computer can go a long way toward protecting you. Make sure your computer is running the latest antivirus software, and that the virus definitions are updated on at least a daily basis. Be wary of unsolicited emails and avoid clicking on unknown links. Be on the lookout for the early warning signs of a malware or virus infection, including a sudden slowdown in computer performance or being inundated with pop-up ads.
Be sure to protect your other electronic devices as well, and lock down your wireless network with a strong password. You should be running security software on your tablet and smartphone as well, since an infection there could spread to the rest of your home network.
Watch What You Share
These days many of us live our lives online ,and that can be a lot of fun. It is great to catch up with old friends and college roommates, but be careful what you share and with whom. Keep your Facebook page and other social media sites private, and check the security settings frequently to make sure you are properly protected.
Be careful what you share with the public via social media, since an enterprising criminal or an ex-partner with ill intent could put the pieces together and find a way to blackmail or extort you. Sharing personal details on social media is always a risk, so think before you post.
Be Aware of Current Scams
In some cases a criminal who tries to extort money from you will have real harmful information to reveal, but in other cases they will just be bluffing. How you approach the extortion attempt may depend in large measure on how believable the individual's claims are, so it pays to be aware of current scams and the stories of other victims and potential victims.
There are always plenty of these kinds of scams going around, both online and off. They take many forms and pop up in many parts of the country. One common extortion attempt involves a caller purporting to be from the FBI, IRS or other governmental authority. The caller claims that the victim owes money or has committed a crime, and they demand money to head off the arrest or reduce the charges.
The fact that the IRS, FBI and other branches of the government do not operate in this manner is one clear sign that these are pure extortion attempts. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to be from the IRS, FBI or other government agency, you should contact the police right away to report the attempted crime.
What to Do If Someone Attempts to Victimize You
If you feel that you are the victim of an extortion attempt, it is important to protect yourself and report the suspected crime right away. Agreeing to pay will only make matters worse - once the criminal realizes that you are willing to pay they will only make further demands in an attempt to drain your cash and victimize you further.
There are strict laws against extortion, and the authorities take these kinds of attempts very seriously. If you are contacted by someone trying to extort money from you, the first step is to report the event to the local authorities. You may also want to report the extortion attempt to the FBI and state police to further protect your rights and help you get the justice you deserve.
If the extortion attempt originated online, you can also contact the company hosting the suspicious website. Web hosts take their reputations seriously, and they do not want to be seen as assisting criminal enterprises. If the criminals involved claimed to be from a legitimate entity like the IRS, the FBI or a company like Google, you can also contact the agency or company and let them know. There is often a cat and mouse game between the bad guys and legitimate businesses, and notifying those companies of the extortion attempt will help them protect themselves - and their customers.
Bit by Bit can help you mitigate these risks! Our expert staff can help with updating systems, backup, antivirus, and security. If you would like to discuss needs in more detail please contact us at 877.860.5831 x190.
Robert Blake
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