Scammers are getting personal. You receive an email saying someone has access to your cell phone or your computer. And they’re about to make your sensitive videos, pictures, or compromising information public OR they will place illegal documents or photos on your computer. They say if you pay them money (a ransom), using a cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin-they won’t expose or incriminate you. Emails like these are common, they are a part of a cryptocurrency blackmail scam that’s been popping up for a while.

The person behind these emails is a scammer. Don’t pay him. He’s using threats, intimidation and high-pressure tactics to trick you out of your money. And while the scammer may say that he knows about an alleged affair, a video or something else that could embarrass you if it was made public, it’s all fake. In fact, it’s also a criminal extortion attempt. Which is why it’s really important that you report this type of scam to the FBI, right away. And once you do, remember to tell the FTC, too, at ftc.gov/complaint.

For additional information on scams, visit Scams | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov)