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What to do if…
you receive a link claiming to be an intimate photo of you and you fear it is real

Short answer

Do not click the link or engage with the sender. Save a minimal record, block them, and use US reporting/support routes (especially if anyone under 18 is involved).

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click, preview, download, or “verify” the link (it can be part of a scam, malware, or escalation).
  • Don’t pay or send gift cards/crypto (payment often leads to more demands and escalation).
  • Don’t delete everything immediately (keep enough evidence to report; avoid wiping chats/accounts in panic).
  • Don’t forward the link/image to others to “confirm” (it can spread harm and increase risk).
  • Don’t hire paid “sextortion rescue” or “reputation cleanup” services under pressure—US authorities have warned some charge exorbitant fees and use deceptive tactics.

What to do now

  1. Stop contact and block.
    Don’t reply further. Block the account/number/email on the platform where they contacted you.

  2. Capture the basics (without opening the link).
    Screenshot the messages, the sender’s profile/username, and the visible URL text. If your app lets you copy the link without opening it, copy it into a note for reporting.

  3. If you already clicked the link, treat it like an account/device security incident.
    Close the page. If you entered any passwords/codes, change passwords from a different trusted device and turn on multi-factor authentication for affected accounts. Run a reputable security scan if you have one available.

  4. Report it using US routes (especially if they demand money or threaten distribution).

    • Report the account/message inside the app/site (harassment, extortion, nonconsensual intimate imagery).
    • File a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for cyber-enabled extortion/fraud.
    • You can also submit an FBI tip.
    • If you are in immediate danger or there’s a credible real-world threat, call 911 (or your local police).

  5. If anyone under 18 is involved (or the image is from when you were under 18), use child-specific routes immediately.

    • Report to NCMEC CyberTipline.
    • Use Take It Down (NCMEC) to help remove or limit sharing of nude/explicit images taken before age 18 on participating platforms.

  6. If you’re overwhelmed or feel unsafe with your thoughts, get immediate support.

    • If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
    • For urgent emotional support in the USA, you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or use chat.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide today whether to pursue charges, confront anyone, or tell a wide circle of people.
  • You don’t need to go searching for the image across the internet right now; that can be distressing and isn’t always the fastest way to reduce harm.
  • You don’t need to “prove” it’s real before seeking help—reporting/support can start from the threatening message alone.

Important reassurance

This kind of message is engineered to cause panic and urgency. Freezing, shaking, or feeling ashamed doesn’t mean you did anything wrong—it means you were hit with a coercion tactic. Slowing down and taking control of the next click is the right first win.

Scope note

These are first steps only—focused on immediate safety, minimizing spread, and connecting you with the right reporting/support systems. Follow-on steps can be tailored once you’re out of the acute moment.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If the situation involves anyone under 18 (or images from when someone was under 18), use child-specific reporting routes promptly.

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