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Avoid Extortion Email Scams
Scam Squad is receiving reports about extortion emails that threaten to expose people’s online activities unless they send money to a bitcoin account. Some people were worried because the emails include their phone numbers and photos of their homes or workplaces.
While these creepy emails seem personal, the scammers are using a formatted letter and pasting in contact information and street-view photos that are readily available online.
If you receive one of these extortion emails, delete it or report it as junk to your email service provider.
- Do not reply to threatening emails
- Avoid clicking on links or using codes sent by unknown senders
- Never pay in response to threatening calls, texts or emails
Although there’s little reason to believe the senders possess photos of the people they’re threatening, it’s a good idea to occasionally update your passwords and keep cameras covered or disabled when you’re not using them.
Visit Cuyahoga County’s Internet Safety page to find easy ways to protect your devices from spyware and other online threats.
Need help? Call Scam Squad at 216-443-7226.