Contact via social media and messaging services
Just like with phone calls and SMS messages, fraud criminals can make social media messaging appear genuine. Common frauds include:
Social media account takeover also known as 'social media account compromise' which can result in you being locked out of your own account, as well as fraud criminals taking over friend's account. Look out for unsolicited direct messages and odd posts from genuine contacts/friends on social media who may have had their account compromised.
A message claiming to be from your child seeking financial support for a fictitious emergency. This is also known as the 'Hi Mum and Dad' fraud which started on WhatsApp but has also spread to text messages. Always take steps to double check you are communicating with the person you think you are speaking to.
What is Sextortion?
Sextortion of a form of blackmail which involves threatening to publish sexual content about someone. This can include photos and videos someone may have shared in confidence or fraud criminals may claims to have faked content. This may be to extort money or force someone to do something against their will. This usually happens one of 2 ways:
- A threatening email claiming they have evidence of someone visiting an adult website and will threaten to disclose publicly unless a ransom is paid (often in Bitcoin),
- Sextortion - National Crime Agency after photos or videos have been shared.
Contact the Revenge Porn Helpline if you have had images/videos shared without your consent.
Minimise fraud risk and control this contact route by:
- Secure e mail accounts and ensure social media privacy and security settings are set to manage your digital footprint,
- Recover-hacked-online-accounts by following this advice.
- Block unwanted contact/messages. For information about doing this on specific platforms, follow these links - Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Discord, Google Chat (Previously Hangouts), TikTok, LinkedIn,
- Make use of the reporting facilities on each platform to report unwanted contact or -untoward behaviour - Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Discord, Google Chat (Previously Hangouts), TikTok, LinkedIn.