How to Stop Blackmail?

By: Sameer Somal |  September 15, 2024

There has been a noticeable increase in blackmail and extortion cases globally. If you have been a victim, it can be mentally and physically challenging. Such circumstances can make you feel out of control and restless. It is important to stop blackmail and deal with such threats under expert guidance.

What is Blackmail?

Blackmail is a type of coercion with severe implications. It involves threatening to reveal sensitive or embarrassing information about an individual unless they fulfill the blackmailer’s demands. While they may not carry out their threats, you might feel compelled to pay them.

Is Ignoring a Good Tactic To Stop Blackmail?

Neither ignoring nor responding restlessly to a blackmailer’s messages is the right course of action. It is important to assess your level of discomfort with the information your blackmailer possesses. Sharing your situation with family or friends can help you feel less helpless. It is advisable to hire an expert team or report the threat to the local police station to stop blackmail.

Source: Freepik 

Protect Your Social Media Accounts

The easiest way to access information about anybody and keep track of their activities is through their social media. Public accounts can be easily hacked, so it is advisable to temporarily make your accounts private. It prevents hackers from accessing more information about you.

Don’t Fulfill the Blackmailer’s Demands

There is a high chance that blackmailers might increase their demands after you fulfill them. There is no guarantee that they will uphold their end of the bargain if you meet their demands. Furthermore, some of the demands might involve the performance of illegal activities. Regardless of how important that sensitive information is, you cannot be absolved of a crime committed. The degree of punishment might be lesser due to lack of intention. It depends on other factors like the time and accessibility to approach police authorities.

Consult an Expert Team To Stop Blackmail

Blue Ocean Global Technology’s expert team can help you stop blackmail and manage this painful situation. The expert team will report the crime on your behalf, help you in gathering evidence, and suggest the right course of action. Our expert team will further aid you in taking down any content the person may have already posted. Further, an expert team can help you mitigate further reputational risks by ensuring that their account is blocked.

Source: Pixels

Taking Care of Mental Health Is Paramount

Going through blackmail is an emotionally painful and exhausting experience. It is pertinent to talk to your family members, friends, and psychologist if needed. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious in such cases. If you feel that, post-incident, you are unable to perform your routine tasks, consulting a psychologist is highly recommended.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to stop blackmail at an initial stage?

Gather everything you can about the person who is sending you messages. Taking screenshots of profile names, pictures, text messages, files shared, and stalking history is important for reporting the crime. This information further aids investigating agencies in finding out IP addresses and tracking down the blackmailers. Blue Ocean Global Technology’s expert team can assist you in managing harm in such situations.

2. What can be done to protect yourself from future risks?

It is difficult to protect your privacy from such dangers in the world of social media. However, you can take a few steps to prevent the leakage of sensitive information about yourself. Avoid sharing personal information online, including filling out forms for educational purposes without verification. Consider using online reputation management services if you have previously faced instances of threats causing reputational harm.

3. What are the legal implications of blackmail?

Blackmail attracts both civil and criminal liabilities. In many jurisdictions, it is covered under the categories of coercion, extortion, sextortion, and cyberbullying. Apart from imprisonment, the criminal is also liable to pay the victim compensation. The compensation is calculated based on various factors depending on the situation. It may include reputational damages, emotional distress, rehabilitation charges, counseling expenses, etc.

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Published by Sameer Somal

Sameer Somal is the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Technology and Co-Founder of Girl Power Talk. He is a CFA Charterholder, a CFP®️ professional, and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst. Sameer leads client engagements focused on digital transformation, risk management, and technology development. A testifying subject matter expert witness in economic damages, intellectual property, and internet defamation, he authors CLE programs with the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Sameer is a frequent speaker at private industry and public sector conferences, including engagements with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), Global Digital Marketing Summit, IBM, New York State Bar Association (NYBSA), US Defense Leadership Forum, and US State Department’s Foreign Service Institute. He proudly serves on the Board of Directors of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Girl Power USA. Committed to building relationships, Sameer is an active member of the Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA), Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB), American Bar Association (ABA), American Marketing Association (AMA), Business Transition Council, International Trademark Association (INTA), and Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF). A graduate of Georgetown University, he held leadership roles at Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Scotiabank. Sameer is also a CFA Institute 2022 Inspirational Leader Award recipient and was named an Iconic Leader by the Women Economic Forum.

Sameer Somal
Sameer Somal, CFA, CFP®, CAIA

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