How to Respond to Extortion

Extortion is an illegal act where threats are used to force the victim into giving up money, personal belongings, or doing something against their will. The extortionist may threaten harm, expose sensitive information, or harm the victim's loved ones to achieve their goal. Dealing with extortion can be an overwhelming process, but knowing the best way to handle it and how to prevent such situations in the future can ease the stress and anxiety involved in facing an extortionist.

Assess the Situation. Opportunistic extortionists may find ways to exploit even the smallest clues. They might overhear a private conversation and use that information to manipulate you, or they may have sensitive images and threaten to release them if their demands are not met. When assessing the situation, you need to be honest and think carefully. Consider how damaging the information the extortionist holds could be, and whether the person is truly a threat. Reflect on the following aspects:

• Could your job be at risk? Is there a chance you might lose your job if the information is made public?
• Could this situation harm others? Even if you are not directly affected, could someone else suffer physical or emotional harm due to the extortion?
• What is the worst-case scenario? Extortion is not just a nuisance; it could cause irreparable damage, both physically and emotionally. Based on the profile of the extortionist, assess the potential consequences in the worst-case scenario and ask yourself whether the fallout could be so severe that it can't be ignored.

Responding to an Extortionist You Know. Unfortunately, extortion often comes from people you know, and even those you once trusted – friends, classmates, ex-partners, or even close family members. The close relationship with the extortionist can make it difficult to handle the situation through legal means.

• If the person is someone you know, the extortion may involve 'sexual extortion,' demanding that you get closer or prolong the relationship in exchange for withholding information. This is still extortion, and you are entitled to legal protection.
• If the threat involves your physical safety, you must immediately report the incident to law enforcement. Even if no immediate action is taken, recording the extortion in the system will help you later if legal action becomes necessary.
• If you need to talk to someone to relieve the pressure when the extortionist threatens to expose your sexual orientation or gender identity, you may contact an LGBT support center. However, be aware that they cannot directly intervene in the extortion case. They are volunteer counselors, not legal professionals, and cannot replace law enforcement.

Consulting with Someone You Trust. When facing trouble, anxiety often leads us to exaggerate the situation. In such moments, seeking advice from a sincere and trustworthy person is a good idea.

• You can confide in people like religious leaders, friends, or a psychological therapist.
• Advice from outsiders can provide a broader perspective on the situation. Even if they can't help you find a solution, knowing you're not alone can offer some relief.

Disarming the Extortionist. If you determine that the information being used against you does not pose a significant threat, consider revealing it yourself before the extortionist has the chance.

• By doing this, you neutralize the 'weapon' the extortionist is holding over you.
• This also demonstrates your strength through honesty and taking responsibility.
• You might also gain sympathy and support from friends and family.
• Revealing the truth allows you to control the narrative and expose the extortionist's malicious intentions.

Preserve All Evidence of the Extortion. Keep all images and conversations with legal value between you and the extortionist. Save voicemail messages and record conversations.

• All of this information is crucial for your lawyer and law enforcement to determine whether your case is eligible for prosecution.

Contact Law Enforcement. If you believe that the information the extortionist is threatening to reveal is too dangerous, contact law enforcement.

• Law enforcement agencies consist of officers trained to prosecute extortionists.
• They can protect you from threats of physical harm from the extortionist.
• Although it may not be easy, you may be asked to extend the negotiation process with the extortionist. This is because many cases require documented threats, either written or recorded, along with demands for money. Follow all instructions from the police, no matter how difficult or painful it may be.

Hire a Lawyer if Necessary. Law enforcement can advise whether a lawyer could help protect your rights.

• Lawyers are familiar with the legal system and can suggest solutions that most people might not be aware of.
• With proper grounds, lawyers can successfully prosecute an extortion case and have the perpetrator imprisoned.

Never Handle It Alone. Avoid impulsive actions or seeking revenge. Extortion is a serious crime and should be dealt with through the appropriate legal channels.

• If you cause harm, terrorize, or try to hurt the extortionist, you are committing a crime yourself, limiting your chances of obtaining justice.

Store Records in a Safe Place. Sensitive documents should be kept in a secure location, such as a locked file cabinet or a safe deposit box at a bank.

Keep Only What’s Necessary. Some documents need to be kept long-term, while others can be destroyed after a certain period.

• Never dispose of tax records. These documents should be filed and stored in case they need to be referenced later. Services like Quickbooks or TaxACT can store your tax records for an annual fee.
• Hold onto property ownership documents. In cases like divorce, property disputes, or bankruptcy, retain all mortgage and property ownership paperwork.
• Keep your pension records. This helps avoid overpaying taxes and keeps track of your contributions.
• Save donation records and investment reports for three years.
• Shred ATM withdrawal slips, bank statements, money transfer receipts, and credit card purchase receipts. Once you’ve matched each document with your online bank statements, dispose of them securely.

Buy a Shredder. A shredder is the safest method for disposing of sensitive documents, unnecessary receipts, copies, and expired credit cards. There are various types of shredders available, but a cross-cut shredder offers the highest level of security.

Secure Your Passwords. This means never sharing your passwords via email or chat. It’s also recommended to use password management software like LastPass or Keepass, which will encrypt and store your passwords until you need them.

Don’t Save Passwords in Your Browser. Some browsers offer to save your passwords when you visit certain websites. If you share a computer with others, any user can access your banking information, emails, or other personal data.

Protect Sensitive Files. Set up password protection for files you don’t want others to access and/or consider storing sensitive files on an external hard drive kept in a personal safe or a safety deposit box at the bank.

Use Antivirus Software. This ensures that new viruses cannot harm your computer.

• Malware like Trojans can steal your information from your hard drive, even taking control of your webcam to take pictures without your knowledge.
• Ransomware can encrypt all the data on your hard drive and demand payment to unlock it.

Be Cautious with Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks. While it’s tempting to connect to free, unsecured networks, using them to view sensitive or private information allows others to potentially access it as well.

Avoid and Report Phishing Scams. Phishing occurs when you receive an email pretending to be from a trusted individual, website, or service provider, asking for your personal account or sensitive financial information.

• Legitimate service providers will never ask for such information via email, as it puts your security at risk.
• If you receive such emails, most email platforms have a “Report” feature to alert the provider about these threats and disable them.
• Properly dispose of electronic waste. Before recycling old hard drives – even non-working ones – make sure to wipe all personal information by performing a final “wipe” to ensure no one can retrieve it.

• Be aware that some courts differentiate between the crime of 'extortion for personal gain' and 'blackmail,' and each is treated differently depending on the available evidence. It is advisable to consult a lawyer about the relevant laws regarding your legal rights.