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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you receive a message with a link claiming to be an intimate photo of you

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Do not click the link, pay, or argue with the sender. Save only the visible details you can safely record, then use UK reporting, takedown, and support routes.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click, preview, or “just check” the link.
  • Don’t pay, send gift cards, send cryptocurrency, or bargain.
  • Don’t reply to prove anything or ask for more screenshots.
  • Don’t forward the link or any image to friends to check.
  • Don’t publicly post identifying details about the link, sender, or threat.
  • Don’t delete the whole chat in panic before recording the basic visible details.
  • Don’t screenshot, save, upload, or share any intimate image if the person in it may be under 18.

What to do now

  1. Pause before opening anything.
    Put the phone down for a minute if you can. Do not tap the link, download a file, scan a QR code, or enter a password or code from that message.

  2. Record the visible basics without opening the link.
    Screenshot or note the message thread, sender username, profile link, phone number or email address, date and time, platform, and the visible URL text. If a platform lets you copy the link without opening it and you can do that safely, keep it only for reporting; otherwise leave it.

  3. If you already clicked the link, secure accounts calmly.
    Close the page. If you typed a password, one-time code, card detail, or recovery code, change that password from a different trusted device and turn on 2-step verification for that account. Start with your email account, then the app where the message arrived.

  4. Report the account or message on the platform.
    Use the app or website’s reporting route for harassment, extortion, intimate image abuse, impersonation, or phishing. Include the sender details and visible link if the form asks for them.

  5. Use adult intimate-image support if you are 18 or over.
    If an intimate image or video of you has been shared, or you are worried it may be shared, contact the Revenge Porn Helpline for UK adult support with reporting and removal. You can also consider StopNCII.org for adults; it can help limit sharing on participating platforms, but it does not cover the whole internet and does not work inside most encrypted messaging.

  6. Use child-specific routes if you are under 18, or the image may be from when you were under 18.
    Tell a trusted adult if you can. You can report worrying online sexual communication to the CEOP Safety Centre. For help with a sexual image or video of yourself online, use Report Remove from Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation.

  7. Use police or fraud routes if there are threats, demands, or ongoing harassment.
    If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, you can usually report intimate image abuse to police online or contact local police on 101. If the message involves money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or another demand, use the UK Report Fraud sextortion guidance and reporting route as well.

  8. Get support for the shock right now.
    If you feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental health help in England but it is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans is free on 116 123, day or night.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide now whether to make a full statement, pursue a case, or confront anyone.
  • You do not need to work out today whether the image is real, fake, hacked, or AI-generated.
  • You do not need to search the internet for the image right now.
  • You do not need to tell lots of people or explain everything perfectly before getting help.
  • You do not need to solve every account-security issue at once; start with the account you may have exposed, then your email.

Important reassurance

This kind of message is designed to make you panic, click, pay, or reply quickly. Slowing down, not opening the link, keeping basic visible evidence, and using specialist support routes are practical first steps.

Scope note

These are first steps only, focused on immediate safety, limiting spread, securing accounts, and reaching specialist support. Later decisions about legal options, longer-term digital safety, or ongoing harassment may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or professional advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you are under 18, or the content may involve someone under 18, use child-specific reporting and support routes promptly.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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