You look at your screen in disbelief. You clicked on a link you thought came from a friend trying to get back into their Snapchat account. Now, your personal data is at risk of exposure. In the second half of 2024, Snapchat enforced against over 2.7 million reports of harassment and bullying and over 150,000 reports of threats and violence.
These are the two most common ways users report blackmail on Snapchat. However, these are just the cases that Snapchat acted upon— and those are only from the reported cases. It’s important that victims report their cases so the authorities can track trends and keep the internet safe. Keep reading to learn how to report blackmail on Snapchat.
Why Is Snapchat a Popular Tool for Blackmail Scams
To be clear, Snapchat is not unique amongst social media applications. But with roughly 850 million users, it’s natural that cybercriminals treat Snapchat as a tool to farm new targets.
Snapchat blackmail has become a major industry, targeting millions of individuals every year. The reality is, if you fall victim to one of these schemes, you are not alone. It is important to remember that you should not feel ashamed or embarrassed for becoming a victim.
These scams are carefully orchestrated, with criminals exploiting common vulnerabilities and using different variations of blackmail. In fact, some news outlets have even classified online blackmail as an industry due to its sheer scale.
Snapchat Features That Attract Blackmailers
Blackmailers choose to use Snapchat because the application checks off three necessities to carry out any digital blackmail scam.
- The ability to create a profile anonymously or with fake credentials. This allows blackmailers to preserve their anonymity and evade authorities.
- Direct messaging and group chat capabilities. Blackmailers use this to acquire many victims at one time and create tangible threats against those victims.
- A false sense of temporality. Users view Snapchat as a space where content only exists fleetingly. However, blackmailers are capable of downloading permanent copies.
Different Ways to Report Blackmail on Snapchat
Snapchat offers users different methods to report blackmail or other cybercrimes. You can report profiles, Stories, Snaps, and Chat messages. The method for reporting each is slightly different, so we will outline the process below.
How to Report Your Blackmailer’s Profile on Snapchat
Follow these four steps to report your blackmailer to Snapchat system administrators:
- Click on the user who is blackmailing you. Tap the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the screen to open the options menu.
- Tap “Manage Friendship” from the menu options.
- Choose the “Report” option from the menu that pops up.
- Submit any additional information on the situation you are experiencing.
Once you’ve reported your blackmailer, you will find an option to block your blackmailer’s account by re-opening “Manage Friendship”. However, our experts recommend against blocking, at least until after you’ve conducted an investigation. It may seem like a quick fix, but it can lead to detrimental consequences. You can read more about why our analysts advise against blocking.
How to Report a Blackmail Story, Snap, or Chat
The reporting process for Stories, Snaps, and Chats is roughly the same. Just open the content you’d like to report and press and hold it. Doing this will bring up a menu of options. From here, select “Report” and follow the on-screen instructions.
How to Report Blackmail on Snapchat Through the Desktop Support Site
If you would prefer to submit your claim outside of the Snapchat app, Snapchat support offers a secondary website. You’ll need to submit your account information, as well as information on the account you want to report.
What Happens When You Report Blackmail on Snapchat?
When you report blackmail on Snapchat, you’ll need evidence to support your claim. Before you submit your report, be sure to collect screenshots of the blackmailer’s profile and all their messages. These screenshots don’t need to include the content the blackmailer is leveraging, just the messages that show their threats.
Once Snapchat completes their review, they will likely suspend the user’s account for violating their terms of service. While this can help protect you from further blackmail, it is not a permanent solution. Your blackmailer may create new accounts to contact you through. Because of this, it’s important to take additional action after you report blackmail on Snapchat.
Will Your Blackmailer Know That You Reported Them?
No. All reports submitted to Snapchat are anonymous and handled with strict confidentiality. However, Snapchat may share blackmail reports with law enforcement, per their terms and conditions.
Once you submit the initial report, Snapchat’s team will conduct a review of your blackmailer’s account. To expedite this review, it is important for you to submit all the information you have. Include profile information, messages received, and other information that showcases the blackmail that has occurred.
While your case is reviewed, you should refrain from any additional communication with the blackmailer and tighten your privacy settings. Unless the blackmailer is a real acquaintance you’ve met, it’s unlikely that you are the only victim they targeted. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to pinpoint who reported them.
Additional Steps When Reporting Blackmail on Snapchat
While reporting blackmail on Snapchat is important, there’s more you can do to ensure your case is handled properly. You should also file reports with the following agencies, depending on the specifics of your situation.
- File A Report with Local Law Enforcement. Although Snapchat shares reports with local authorities in cases of cybercrimes, it’s important that you file a report as well. Your local police may have a cybercrimes division that can open an investigation. If not, they can direct you to the FBI, and the report serves as valuable documentation of the crime.
- File a Report with the FBI. Victims of any cybercrime should file a report to the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI fields reports of cybercrimes and tracks national cybersecurity trends. They may not act on every individual claim, but reporting helps them understand cybercrime at large.
- File A Report with the NCMEC. If you or someone you love was blackmailed while under the age of 18, file a report through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). This agency handles cases of blackmail and other cybercrimes that exploit minors, which require special consideration.
Report Blackmail on Snapchat with Expert Support
The process to report blackmail on Snapchat can be a lot to handle alone. Documenting evidence and filing reports under immense emotional distress is a tall task. Furthermore, some of the evidence may not be accessible to you alone.
That’s why you should consider the benefits of working with digital forensics experts. They have proprietary technology that allows them to retrieve evidence hidden deep within the code of your Snaps. The findings of their investigation can prop up your report.
You do not need to suffer in silence. Snapchat blackmail can leave its victims feeling fearful of what could happen and unsure of how to respond. But at Digital Forensics Corp, our team of digital forensics experts and social engineers know exactly what to do. You can contact us anytime to regain control of your situation.
If you would like additional resources on handling Snapchat blackmail, check out our article “How To Stop Snapchat Blackmail”. Here, we uncover the steps you can take when threatened on this popular social app.
