us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you receive a message with a link claiming to be an intimate photo of you

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 20 June 2026 Last reviewed: 17 July 2026 Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Do not click the link, preview it, download anything, pay, or reply. Save the visible message details, then report or block the sender.

Do not do these things

Do not click, preview, download, or “verify” the link.
Do not pay, send gift cards, send crypto, or send another image to make the threat stop.
Do not forward the link or image to someone else to confirm whether it is real.
Do not delete the whole chat in panic before saving the visible sender and message details.
Do not search for the image across websites while you are panicked.
Do not hire a paid “sextortion rescue” or “reputation cleanup” service under pressure.

What to do now

Stop the next click.
Put the phone or computer down for a moment if your hand is shaking. Do not open the link again, even to check whether it is real.
Save only what is already visible.
Screenshot the message, the sender’s username, profile, number, email address, and any visible URL text. If the full URL is visible, write it down exactly as shown; do not open it to get more information.
Block or restrict the sender after you have the visible details.
Use the app’s block, restrict, mute, or report option. If the sender is using more than one account, block each one after saving the visible details.
Report the account or message on the platform.
Choose the closest platform category, such as harassment, extortion, threats, impersonation, non-consensual intimate imagery, or sexual exploitation. Include the screenshots and the visible URL text if the platform asks for it.
If money, gift cards, crypto, login codes, or threats are involved, use FBI reporting routes.
Use the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center for cyber-enabled extortion, fraud, or account compromise. You can also submit an FBI tip. If there is an immediate real-world danger, call 911 or local police instead of waiting for an online report.
If you already clicked the link, treat it like a security incident.
Close the page. If you entered a password, code, card number, or personal information, change affected passwords from a different trusted device, turn on multi-factor authentication, and run an updated security scan.
If anyone in the image is under 18, or the image was made when anyone was under 18, use child-specific help.
Report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline. If you already have the image or video on your device, Take It Down may help limit sharing on participating platforms. Do not download the link or ask anyone to send you a copy just to use the service.
If the image is of you as an adult and you already safely have a copy, consider StopNCII.
StopNCII may help create a digital fingerprint of an intimate image or video so participating platforms can detect it. Use this only if it fits the service rules; do not open or download the threatening link to get a copy.
If you feel at risk of hurting yourself, get live support now.
Call or text 988, or use 988 chat. If there is immediate physical danger, call 911.

What can wait

You do not need to decide today whether to pursue charges, confront anyone, or tell a wide circle of people.
You do not need to prove whether the image is real before asking for help or reporting the threat.
You do not need to search the internet for the image right now.
You do not need to solve every account, platform, or legal issue in one sitting.

Important reassurance

This message is designed to make you panic and act fast. The safest first win is not finding out whether the link is real; it is stopping contact, avoiding the link, and preserving enough visible information to get help.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Later decisions about police reports, platform appeals, legal options, device repair, or emotional support may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, cybersecurity, or other professional advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Additional Resources

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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