Scammers Are Targeting Private Photos Stored On Your Connected Devices

(KMDL-FM) The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that there is a new, terrifying online scam that should concern anyone who might have intimate photos of themself or others connected to their online devices. Scammers are targeting these "private pictures" as a way to obtain your personal information.

shallow focus of woman posing

To make matters worse, your private content could then be sold and shared across the Internet, and you wouldn't even know it unless you or someone you know recognized it. Now these aren't just bawdy boudoir photos that scammers are looking for.

Pictures of You and Your Family in Swimsuits Could Be Targeted

Those pictures of you in your swimsuit at the beach with your family, or dressed in an alluring outfit for a night on the town, could be compromised as well. But the reality is the bad guys are looking for explicit photos that they can either use against you to get to your bank account, or they can sell for profit.

The FBI warns of "Sexual Exploitation Actors" who target adults and underage victims by illegally accessing their social media and personal accounts. Often, this is done without your knowledge; the bad guys might also post your real-life information, such as your date of birth, phone number, or social media username.

red padlock on black computer keyboard

Password and PIN Targeting: In this method, the scammers will literally try a high volume of password and PIN combinations to attempt to break into your accounts. Often, the details the scammers need can be found on the dark web, so perhaps your social media and other sites aren't as protected as you originally thought.

Social Media Customer Service Impersonations: If you suddenly get a message that your social media account has been disabled or locked via text from an unknown source, chances are that's someone wishing to do you harm. The scammers often suggest you go through them for a password reset, and that's when they gain access to your details, accounts, and pictures.

Phishing: Evidently, people still fall for hard-to-believe emails and texts because Phishing remains one more way the bad guys get you to interact with them so they can steal your details.

How to Protect Your Personal Photos and Images

brown glass bottle across two women

What should you do, and what can you do to protect sensitive information and photos? The FBI suggests avoiding having that kind of material on any internet-accessible device or platform. They can't steal it if it's not there to steal.

The other suggestions include finding and using strong passwords, complex passphrases, and PINs. They also suggest you use multi-factor authentication methods.  Be cautious about clicking on unknown links and embeds in emails, texts, and other communications from unknown sources.

READ MORE: Why Is Broussard, Louisiana Suddenly the Scam Call Capital?

And if you get a temporary password or PIN reset that you did not request, it's best not to move forward with that request. Also, be careful about who you share your login details with. They might be a friend now, but relationships change; if you know what I mean.

Should you need to report an incident or instance where you feel your personal and private materials may have been compromised or there was an attempt to compromise that data, here is how the FBI would like you to share that information with their investigative teams.

How To Report Sexual Exploitation Attempts Made Against You Online

If you believe you are a victim of SE actors stealing and leaking explicit content, please visit https://ncii.ic3.gov to provide information related to the following:

*Timeframe when your content was accessed or stolen without your permission.
**Whether you were under the age of 18 in the images and/or videos.
*How the images and/or videos were obtained (e.g., social media, cloud storage, scam, sextortion, or blackmail).
**On which social media or cloud storage platforms your content was found.
**The usernames or registered emails/phone numbers associated with your accounts.

*The names and links to the sites where your content was posted.
*Any further harassment, extortion, stalking, or other acts by phone, email, text, social media, or in-person targeting you may have experienced.
*Any actions you have taken since discovering your content was stolen (e.g., contacting law enforcement, etc.).

READ MORE: Yellow Hanger Scam Showing Up On Louisiana Front Doors

Continue to report fraud, scams, and cyber threats to www.ic3.gov or contact your local FBI Field Office. For immediate threat-to-life concerns, please call 911.