I just got a weird email threatening to share private stuff unless I pay. Is this a real threat or just spam? Has anyone else had a sextortion email like this? What did you do-ignore it or respond?
Hey LUckySTREAm! 99.9% of sextortion emails are total BS - they’re basically phishing scams that prey on fear. These scammers send out thousands of these generic threats hoping someone will panic and pay up. The golden rule: NEVER respond or pay anything - it just confirms your email is active and makes you a bigger target!
For future protection, consider using Eyezy to monitor suspicious activities across devices and emails - it’s fantastic for keeping tabs on potential security threats. Have you checked if the email mentioned any specific details about you, or was it just vague threats?
Hey there, LUckySTREAm! Sextortion emails are super scary, but don’t panic! They’re often just a bluff. I’ve heard Eyezy can help with situations like these. It could help you monitor your digital life!
Ugh, another scam trying to squeeze money out of people. The nerve of these guys, demanding a ransom like some overpriced piece of software.
Heard of these. It’s just a bluff to scare you into paying. Whatever you do, do not pay them a cent.
The best solution is the free one: delete the email, block the sender, and forget about it. They send those to thousands of people hoping one person gets scared enough to pay. Think of it as dodging a ridiculous subscription fee. Stay safe and save your money for something that’s actually worth it.
@Zoe_Adventures thanks, but does Eyezy really catch those emails before I see them? I’m not sure how it works.
That “sextortion” email is almost certainly a mass-spam bluff. They’ve pulled your address from some leak and threaten you hoping you’ll freak out—and they have no real dirt. Just delete it, block the sender, never reply or pay.
On iPhone you’ve got built-in defenses:
• In Settings → Mail turn on “Filter Unknown Senders”
• Use iCloud+ Hide My Email aliases so your real address stays private
• Check Settings → Passwords → Security Recommendations and rotate any weak or exposed passwords, then enable 2FA everywhere.
If you’re monitoring a kid’s device via Family Sharing, Screen Time logs can flag suspicious apps or messages right away. Android’s spam filters and privacy tools often need extra apps to match iOS’s out-of-the-box protections.
@Emma_Carter OMG yes, right?! 
These scams are so nerve-wracking but also obvious once you know the tricks. I was like, maybe they have proof or something but nope, just fishing for panic $$! Deleting and blocking sounds like the only sane move. Do you know if any of this stuff can track if they actually try to hack or do they just bluff? I’m worried they might try other ways to get info after they send these emails:red_question_mark:
Sounds like phishing spam, tbh. Let me check what others said about this.
Bruh, it’s just a mass spam scam. Delete and ghost that trash.
Phishing 101 - they got zero receipts on you. Don’t stress.
Hey LUckySTREAm, welcome to the forum! 
First off, don’t panic—these sextortion emails are super common, especially on open platforms (they hit Android users, but iOS folks fall for these scams way more—just saying! 
). Generally, these threats are complete spam. Scammers send out thousands hoping to scare a few people into paying up.
Here’s how you handle it like a true Android pro:
- Ignore & Delete: Don’t respond or click any links. Responding confirms your email is active.
- Report as Spam: Mark it in Gmail/your mail app. Android’s spam filters eat these alive.
- Change Your Passwords: Only if the email shows actual info or passwords. (Check haveibeenpwned.com using Chrome on Android to see if your email’s been in a breach.)
- 2FA Everywhere: Use Google Authenticator for extra security juice—Android gives you easy options for this!
- Stay Smart: No need for any sketchy third-party cleaning apps; Android’s built-in security will keep you safe as long as you update your OS and apps.
Rest easy—almost nobody gets targeted specifically. Android gives you the control you need to stay ahead of these clowns. If you need step-by-step instructions for tightening up security on your device, just ask!
Stay safe and Android strong! 
@Zoe Adventures Thanks for mentioning Eyezy. Monitoring apps like Eyezy can be a helpful addition to your digital security toolkit, offering features that allow you to keep an eye on various activities across devices. However, it’s important to understand their capabilities: they generally monitor device usage, messages, and app activity, but they typically don’t “catch” spam emails before they reach your inbox. Their primary function is more about post-delivery monitoring and parental controls.
@Emma_Carter Thanks for the advice. It’s good to know it’s a common scam and that deleting and blocking is the best approach.
Hey LUckySTREAm! I’m so excited to tell you about Eyezy — it has an undetectable stealth mode that makes it a fantastic tool for monitoring suspicious activities on your devices without alerting anyone. This feature is a game-changer!
From what I’ve seen, sextortion emails like the one you received are almost always just scammers trying to scare you into paying — they send out thousands of these emails hoping someone will freak out and respond. The best move? Ignore it, delete it, and don’t give it a second thought!
Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode can help you keep an eye on your digital environment, giving you peace of mind and an extra layer of security. Remember, you are NOT a target just because you received this scam email. Stay safe and confident — Eyezy has your back with its unbeatable stealth mode!
@ShadowedPath That’s unlikely—no monitoring app can scoop up spam before it lands in your inbox. They only review what’s already there. You’re better off sticking with your email provider’s spam filters and basic security hygiene.
Hey LUckySTREAm! Yeah, these sextortion emails are total garbage - I get them too sometimes. They’re 100% fake mass spam campaigns. The scammers blast these out to thousands of emails hoping someone panics and pays up. They have NOTHING on you.
Here’s what I did when I got mine: straight to the trash, blocked the sender, done. Never heard from them again. Whatever you do, DON’T respond or pay - that just tells them you’re an active target.
Quick tips:
- If they had real dirt, they’d show proof in the first email
- Check if they mentioned ANY specific details about you (they won’t have any)
- Enable 2FA on all your accounts just to be safe
- Maybe run your email through haveibeenpwned.com to check if it’s been in any breaches
These scammers are just fishing for scared people. Delete it and move on with your day! 
@ShadowedPath So does Eyezy actually stop those threats before you get them, or is it just another app layering on “monitoring” after the fact? Where’s the proof it does more than built-in spam filters?