Emergency advice

A man with closed eyes and relaxed expression standing outdoors against a cloudy sky, wearing a black sports shirt.
A man with closed eyes and relaxed expression standing outdoors against a cloudy sky, wearing a black sports shirt.
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Abstract digital art with gradients of blue and cream, featuring large circular shapes and horizontal bands.
Abstract digital art with gradients of blue and cream, featuring large circular shapes and horizontal bands.

If you're in immediate danger, or someone is threatening you online right now, use the guidance below to get help fast. Reporting to the police doesn't mean you have to share explicit images — just evidence of threats, usernames, and messages. Find the advice for your country below.

If you're in the UK:

  • Call 101 to speak to your local police

  • Visit your local police website to report online

  • Call 999 if you feel in immediate danger

  • If your situation involves fraud or malware you can report to reportfraud.police.uk

If you're under 18, or the criminal is using or threatening to use images of someone under 18, there are services that specialise in protecting children and young people from online threats:

  • CEOP (Child Exploitation & Online Protection Command)

  • Childline: 0800 1111

If you're in the US:

  • Call 911 if you're in immediate danger

  • Call your local police non-emergency line to report in person or by phone, or check your local police department's website for online reporting

  • Report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov — this is the main hub for reporting online crime, including sextortion, hacking, and fraud

  • You can also contact your local FBI field office directly, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), or report online at tips.fbi.gov

If you're under 18, or the case involves images of someone under 18, there are services that specialise in protecting children and young people from online threats:

  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline: report.cybertip.org

  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 (24/7)

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Get Help

If you are not in immediate danger, you can get cybersecurity help with The Cyber Helpline.

Get help now
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A woman with long curly brown hair smiling while looking at her smartphone. She is wearing a white top and sitting at a table with a cup of coffee in front of her. The background shows a blurred indoor setting with warm lighting.

How to preserve digital evidence and report cybercrime

A guide to use when you have been a victim of cybercrime and need to save and protect digital evidence before reporting it to the authorities.

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