New Hampshire’s Attorney General, John M. Formella, is warning residents about a blackmail scam affecting many, especially older adults. Victims have received emails that include their names and addresses, along with threatening letters claiming the sender has monitored their online activity. The letters demand payment in cryptocurrency to prevent the release of embarrassing information to the victim’s contacts. The Attorney General advises residents to stay calm and not respond or pay any money. If you receive such an email, contact your local police and report it to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline. It’s crucial to remain cautious and protect personal information from these scams.
Attorney General John M. Formella has issued a warning about a blackmail scam that is targeting residents of New Hampshire, particularly older adults. This alert comes after several residents reported receiving email messages from unknown senders.
The emails often include the recipient’s name in the subject line and contain personal details such as home addresses and phone numbers. Attached to these emails is a threatening letter that claims the sender has installed a virus on the recipient’s device, allowing them to monitor their online activities. The letter is alarming and demands payment of a “privacy fee” in cryptocurrency, threatening that embarrassing information will be shared with the recipient’s contacts if they do not comply.
The Attorney General reassures residents that these scammers have not actually visited anyone’s home or accessed their devices. They have instead gathered personal information from publicly available sources to create fear and urgency, hoping to trick victims into sending money.
New Hampshire residents are advised to stay vigilant and avoid engaging with any suspicious emails. If you receive such a message, do not panic or send any money. Instead, contact local police if you have been affected, and report the scam to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline. If there are concerns about device security, it is recommended to consult a verified computer repair service.
For more information on how to protect yourself or report scams, you can reach the New Hampshire Bureau of Adult and Aging Services at 1-800-949-0470.
Tags: New Hampshire, scam alert, blackmail, Attorney General, cryptocurrency, online safety, elder abuse, consumer protection.
- What is a blackmail scam?
A blackmail scam is when someone threatens to share private information or photos unless you pay them money.
- How do I know if I’m being targeted by a blackmail scam?
You might receive a message or email from someone claiming to have embarrassing information about you and asking for money to keep it secret.
- What should I do if I receive a blackmail message?
Do not respond to the sender. Save the message and report it to local authorities or the police.
- Can I protect myself from blackmail scams?
Yes, be careful about sharing personal information online and review your privacy settings on social media.
- Is it safe to pay a blackmailer?
No, paying a blackmailer rarely solves the problem and can lead to more demands or threats in the future. Always report the situation instead.
