How do you cope with blackmail?

Blackmail

Persons being blackmailed should not attempt to handle the situation on their own, even though the entertainment media present it as being heroic. They should contact their local police department who will assist them in whatever capacity needed, including the involvement of state and federal authorities. There should be clear and substantiating evidence to prove such a claim, however, as this is a very serious charge.

Here is a very different answer:

• Tread carefully in this situation. If you play your cards right you can get out of the situation okay. I was in a position at work where I was being blackmailed for about three months. I worked with that person during and after the blackmail period, and I was able to see it out and move on. I was able to do this because right from the beginning I was aware of my situation. As a single mother of two teenage daughters, I couldn't risk the information's coming out. If it had, I would not only have lost my job, but I faced the real possibility of losing my kids and going to jail as a result of some illegal dealings at work. I sat down with the woman, and we agreed to some terms that included my stepping down as supervisor and her taking over. I also paid her regular but manageable payments and also went out of my way to suck up to her and do what ever she wanted. After three months the danger went away and the payments and kissing up stopped. She is still my supervisor but everything worked out fine

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Being blackmailed is extremely dangerous, and it's not likely a person would go to the police because it's hard to prove and -- most important -- the proverbial cat would be out of the bag. Depending on the secret the blackmailer is lording over the person, it can takes years to satisfy their greed or, in some cases, lead to murder or threats to your family members.

The above poster was extremely lucky. Most of the time the blackmailer will suck their victim as dry as they can because they have total control. If a person has cheated on his or her mate or even has another family in another town or city and the blackmailer is using this as a tactic, it is easier to come clean with your present spouse, take your chances, and not fall into the trap of the blackmailer. If a person has stolen from a company or committed some other crime, then he does have something to worry about. He is caught in the cross-hairs. Either pay the blackmailer off or lose your job and do time in prison.

It is strictly up to the person being blackmailed. Write down on paper what you did to be blackmailed over and then write down the pros of what would happen if you came clean. If you don't take the latter then you will live a life of looking over your shoulder. Blackmailers can get their own ways for years, then disappear or appear to be calm and cool and then, without warning, start all over again should they feel the need for more money or are position hopping in a company. There is no way you can be certain the blackmailer hasn't told someone else about you, anyway.

First answer by Macky. Last edit by Schnazola. Contributor trust: 1221 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 82 [recommend question]