The FBI says criminals are breaking into social media and other online accounts to steal sexually explicit photos and videos from adults and children, then using the material for blackmail, resale, or further harassment. The bureau says common lures include unsolicited texts claiming an account will be disabled unless the victim shares a verification code, and emails about a supposed new login with password-reset links; the FBI and NCAA also separately warned that student-athletes are being targeted in similar schemes.
Why it matters: This matters because it points to active, real-world social-engineering attacks against the general public, including minors, with severe privacy and safety consequences beyond financial loss. People should enable multi-factor authentication, never share verification or reset codes, and be cautious of texts or emails claiming an account problem or login alert.
2026.08.12
97% relevant
This article appears to report the same FBI alert and adds concrete details on the account-takeover methods the bureau described, including password guessing from leak data, impersonation of social media support, password-reset bombardment, and cloned social media login pages.
Sergiu Gatlan
2026.08.12
100% relevant
This article appears to be the first tracked item here centered on the FBI's August 2026 public service announcement about account takeovers used to steal explicit content for sextortion.
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