It starts with a message you never saw coming. A stranger claims they’ve hacked your phone or recorded you on a webcam. They threaten to expose you—to your boss, your family, the world—unless you pay.

It’s called sextortion. And it’s a lie designed to paralyze you with fear.

😱 Why It Matters: This scam isn’t about money and shame. Scammers know fear is more powerful than facts—so they push hard and fast, hoping you’ll pay before you think. And far too many people do.

🧠 What To Know:

  • Most of the time, there are no photos, no videos, no hack.
  • Scammers use stolen emails, usernames, or weak passwords to fake credibility.
  • The goal is emotional blackmail, not truth.

🛑 What To Do:

  • Don’t reply. Any response gives them power.
  • Don’t pay. It won’t make them stop.
  • Do take a screenshot of the message.
  • Do block the sender.
  • Do report it to local authorities or online crime units.

💬 The Truth: You haven’t done anything wrong. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to deal with this in silence. Investigators see this tactic every day and they know how to help.

🔍 The Big Picture: This scam works because it preys on something deeply human: the fear of being seen in your worst light.

How to Read and Understand The News

When reading news, remember:

  • Truth doesn’t change because we dislike it
  • Facts remain facts even when they make us uncomfortable
  • Events happen whether we accept them or not
  • Good reporting often challenges us
  • The news isn’t choosing a position — it is relaying what official, verified sources have said.
  • Blaming the press for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.

Before dismissing news that bothers you, ask:

  1. What evidence supports this story?
  2. Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
  3. What would change my mind?
  4. Am I “shooting the messenger” because I don’t like what is happening?

Smart news consumers seek truth, not just comfort.

Journalism For The People, Not The Powerful

"Going to where the silence is. That is the responsibility of a journalist: giving a voice to those who have been forgotten, forsaken, and beaten down by the powerful." -Amy Goodman

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😱 Why It Matters: This scam isn’t about money and shame. Scammers know fear is more powerful than facts—so they push hard and fast, hoping you’ll pay before you think. And far too many people do.
B.T. Clark
Publisher at 

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.