Reading Time: 4 minutes The truth of the matter is, the vast majority of these sextortion shakedowns are nothing more than hot air threats – and when I say the vast majority, I mean seriously, almost all of them are complete bunk. As unsettling as they may be chances of anyone having a secret video of you doing something sexy are very slim. So, do not pay.

If for some reason you believe you might be at legitimate risk, report the incident to law enforcement and then do not pay. Paying a computer hacking stranger or a complete random faker is a good way to accomplish nothing more than them asking for more money. Paying, in general, makes this kind of fraud a profitable scam for people who prey on strangers online. If it doesn’t work they will stop trying.