CHARLOTTE, NC — You may have heard of sextortion scams before, but this latest version is even more terrifying. Scammers are now sending emails that include a picture of your house, along with threats to expose your supposed viewing of explicit content unless you pay a ransom in Bitcoin. Cybersecurity pro Krebs on Security reports these emails to claim that the scammer has stolen your passwords and installed malware on your phone, allowing them to access your camera and record you. They threaten to send these videos to your contacts if you don’t pay up within a short timeframe. To make matters worse, some of these emails now include a photo of your own house, adding a layer of intimidation and making the threat seem more real. The scammers likely obtain this photo from Google Street View, and your personal information from data breaches that have exposed your email address, name, and street address. It’s important to remember that this is just a scam. The scammers don’t have any compromising videos of you, and they can’t actually access your camera or contacts. Their goal is to scare you into paying the ransom without reporting the scam to the authorities. If you receive one of these emails, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do: ● Don’t respond to the email or pay the ransom. ● Report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Division at IC3.gov. ● Be wary of any emails from unknown senders. ● Review your credit score. ● Look for any unapproved credit card purchases. ● Remember, you’re not alone. These scams are becoming increasingly common, and by reporting them, you can help the authorities track down the perpetrators and prevent others from falling victim.