2024 New Hampshire-Targeted Blackmail Scam Includes Pictures of Your House

Concord, New Hampshire

Be on the lookout.

The Attorney General is warning older New Hampshire residents of a blackmail scam specifically targeting older New Hampshire residents.

This one is particularly scary because the email contains not only personal information like name, address, and telephone number, but it also contains a picture of the person's house with the line, "Hopefully, I won't have to visit you here."

According to a press release, the NH Attorney General has received reports of people getting these awful emails, personalized for them, trying to get money out of them... or else.

The blackmail letter also claims that a virus was attached to their computer and they can see all of your browsing history, emails and other personal information.

If you read the letter carefully, you might be able to tell it's a scammer just by the language they use or the description of what you've been doing online.  For instance, the letter states something like, "visiting those girly sites."  If you haven't been there, you can breathe easier that it's a scam.

There might be other embarrassing information that may be sent to you specifically.  If you want to keep that information private, you'll have to pay a "privacy fee."  The AG wants you to know not to fall for it.

Here are a few tips:

1.  Do not open any attachments from senders who you don't know

2.  If you do, don't panic

3.  Do NOT send money or bitcoin or anything in response to the letter

4. If you think there is a virus on your computer, you may want to call a computer expert to check.

5.  Report the scam to the NH AG's office at 1-888-468-4454 or email Doj-CPB@doj.nh.gov

Taking advantage of anyone is awful, but when it comes to older adults, that's just the worst.  If you do get scammed or if you know someone who has, the press release urges you to contact the NH Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, at 1-800-949-0470.

Don't fall for it!  Have you been a victim of a scam before?  How about your family?

Read the entire blackmail letter here.  Scary stuff!