Understand the threat.
Know your next step.

Recognising and responding to online harassment

Harassment may include repeated unwanted messages, threats, abusive comments, monitoring or attempts to intimidate someone through online platforms.

Possible warning signs

• Repeated contact after you have asked someone to stop.
• Threatening or intimidating messages.
• Attempts to monitor your activity or location.
• Abusive posts or messages targeting you.

Safety steps

• Preserve relevant messages, URLs and account details if safe.
• Review privacy and location-sharing settings.
• Use platform reporting and blocking tools when appropriate.
• Tell a trusted person if you feel unsafe.
• Contact police or official support if threats or stalking continue.

When someone threatens to expose private information

Sextortion involves coercion or threats connected to intimate images, personal information or other private material. A threat does not mean the person will follow through.

What to consider

• Do not blame yourself for another person's threats or abuse.
• Avoid sending more material or complying with escalating demands.
• Do not pay without first seeking official guidance.
• Preserve relevant threat messages and account details if safe.
• Report the account or content through the platform and appropriate authorities.
• Seek support from someone you trust.

Responding to fake profiles

Fake accounts may misuse names, photographs or personal details to mislead others or harm someone's reputation.

Recommended steps

• Record the profile URL, username and relevant public information.
• Use the platform's impersonation reporting process.
• Warn affected contacts through a safe communication channel.
• Review the privacy settings of your own accounts.
• Contact official authorities if the impersonation involves threats, fraud or serious harm.

When images, videos or audio are manipulated

Synthetic media can imitate a person's appearance or voice. Manipulated content may be used to deceive, threaten or harass.

Safety steps

• Do not assume manipulated content is genuine.
• Preserve relevant URLs, account details and threat messages if safe.
• Report the content through the platform's available process.
• Secure your accounts and review publicly available personal information.
• Seek official assistance for threats, extortion or non-consensual content.

If you suspect an account or device is compromised

Possible warning signs

• Unrecognised login alerts or changed account settings.
• Messages or posts you did not create.
• Unexpected password reset notifications.
• Unfamiliar apps or unusual device behaviour.

Safer next steps

• Use a trusted device to secure important accounts.
• Change compromised passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
• Review active sessions and revoke unfamiliar access.
• Update your operating system and applications.
• If you suspect spyware or monitoring by someone close to you, seek specialist help before changing settings that might alert them.

Responding to online financial fraud

Fraud may involve fake payment requests, phishing links, fraudulent job offers, investment schemes or unauthorised transactions.

If money has been lost

• Contact your bank or payment provider immediately.
• Call India's cyber financial fraud helpline at 1930 as soon as possible.
• Report through the official cybercrime portal.
• Keep transaction IDs, dates and bank reference numbers.
• Never share your PIN, password or OTP with anyone claiming to recover your money.

Staying alert to AI-assisted deception

AI tools can make fake messages, voices, images and identities appear convincing. A familiar voice or realistic video is not proof that a request is genuine.

Protect yourself

• Verify urgent requests through a separate trusted channel.
• Use a family verification phrase for unusual emergency requests.
• Do not transfer money based only on a voice or video call.
• Limit public exposure of personal and family information.
• Report suspected fraud through official channels.

Recognising grooming and exploitation

Grooming may involve manipulation, secrecy, gifts, threats or attempts to isolate a child from trusted adults.

For parents and trusted adults

• Listen calmly and reassure the child that they are not to blame.
• Avoid pressuring the child to repeat distressing details.
• Do not confront a suspected offender if it could increase risk.
• Preserve relevant account information without copying or forwarding explicit material.
• Contact Child Helpline 1098 or police where appropriate.
• Prioritise the child's immediate safety and emotional support.

When personal information is exposed

Doxxing is the unauthorised publication of identifying details, which may create risks of harassment, intimidation or physical harm.

Safety steps

• Assess whether the exposed information creates an immediate physical risk.
• Preserve relevant URLs and account details if safe.
• Report the disclosure to the platform or website.
• Review public profiles, location sharing and account privacy.
• Contact police if threats or safety risks are involved.