Extortion is when someone threatens to harm you or someone you care about if you don't pay them money.The exposure of harmful or damaging information about you can ruin your reputation at work or in the community.If the information is embarrassing or shameful, it is considered a crime of blackmail rather than extortion.Extortion is a crime in all states.Depending on the nature and severity of the threat, where and how you report the crime may differ.
Step 1: Take your documents or information.
If you have any evidence of the crime, police will want copies of your letters or voice mail messages.You can check your state's extortion law.A prosecuting attorney has to prove these elements to have someone convicted of extortion.Police may not investigate your report if they don't have enough evidence to prove that the person committed the crime.You should have evidence that the person is threatening you.Unless you have a voice mail message of the threats being made against you, written evidence tends to be stronger than a spoken threat.You may have a hard time getting police officers to investigate the situation if you don't have recordings or written evidence.Police must have probable cause to search or arrest someone in order to get a warrant.
Step 2: You can go to the police station.
You should file your report at the police station since threats of future violence are more likely than immediate violence.If interstate commerce is involved in the extortion, you should report it to the FBI rather than to local law enforcement.You can use the FBI's online locator to find your nearest field office.
Step 3: Do you want to file your report?
An officer will talk to you about the crime and give you a report based on your information.The police have enough information to investigate the crime if you give them as many details as you can.Before charges can be filed against the person, police must have enough evidence to prove probable cause.Basic personal and contact information about yourself, as well as any similar information you may know about the person you're reporting, is typically required.You should give copies of any evidence you've gathered and give all the information you have related to the crime.When the officer has finished taking your report, you should get a copy of it for your records.If you want to provide additional information or update the report later, you'll need to give the department's report or reference number.
Step 4: Get an emergency restraining order.
Emergency restraining orders can be offered to protect you from danger.You can get an emergency restraining order at the police department if you want to stay out of harms way.If you're afraid the person will harm you or someone you love if he or she discovers you have filed a police report, ask the officer with whom you filed the report.An emergency restraining order will keep the person from contacting you or coming near you.The order usually lasts for a day or two.Emergency restraining orders may last longer if courts are not in session, for example, if you've reported the extortion on a Friday evening or just before a holiday.
Step 5: Don't allow any continuing investigation.
As the department investigates the situation, officers may contact you for further information.Even if the person is arrested, he or she may never be charged with a criminal offense.When it comes to filing charges, prosecutors have broad discretion, but only if they believe they can get a conviction.
Step 6: You should gather your information.
Before you start the complaint process online, you should gather as much information as you can about the crime.Supplying as many details as possible allows investigators to best process your complaint and get the correct agencies involved to arrest the suspect and keep you out of harm's way.You can attach documents to your complaint as digital files if you have them.Before you start your complaint, you should convert everything you have to digital format.If the person left threatening messages on your phone, you may be able to convert them to mp3 files.Direct copies of emails are preferred by the FBI.Screen captures of threatening messages can be attached to your complaint if they were transmitted through other services.
Step 7: The Internet Crime Complaint Center is on the internet.
The IC3 is run by the FBI and collects, analyzes, and distributes information on internet crime to state and federal law enforcement agencies.If you have been the victim of a crime that was committed over the internet, you can use the IC3 program to recover your money.When you file a complaint, IC3 staff evaluate the information to see if the incident falls under federal or state jurisdiction.
Step 8: Accept the privacy policy.
You must read and agree to the terms and conditions before you can start filling out the complaint form.Under penalty of perjury, when you enter information to build your complaint, you are doing so.Penalties or imprisonment are possible for false or incorrect information.Your information may be shared with state, federal, or even international law enforcement agencies, however, whether to follow up on your complaint or initiate an investigation is entirely within the discretion of those agencies.
Step 9: You can enter your information.
All of the information you have regarding the crime you want to report is required by the complaint form.You should include as much information as possible about the person threatening you.It's possible that you're not the only one trying to extort, or that they've committed extortion in the past.Identifying information about a person can help law enforcement find them.Make sure to include your name, address, phone number, and email address so law enforcement agencies or prosecutors can contact you if they need additional information during an investigation.Dates and times threats were made, the context of those threats, and the exact words that were used are some of the details that should be included.Information about the credibility of the threat, as well as why you believe the person intends to harm you or someone you care about, might be included.
Step 10: You can submit your complaint.
Once you're happy with your report, you can submit it to IC3 for evaluation.You can make a copy of your complaint.If you want to check the status of your complaint or add additional information, you'll receive a confirmation email with a password and a usernames.Your password and usernames can be used to access your complaint.Once you've submitted your complaint, it can't be deleted or canceled.
Step 11: The correct court should be chosen.
Depending on your relationship to the person you want restrained, different state courts handle restraining orders.If you wanted a domestic violence restraining order, you might have to go to a family court.If the person threatening you is not related to you, you need to go to a different court.Civil restraining orders can be used to protect you against someone you don't know.Criminal restraining orders are not issued if you file a petition or request.During the course of a criminal proceeding, a judge issues an order.A criminal restraining order can't be renewed after it expires.Civil restraining orders can be renewed if you still feel the person is a threat.
Step 12: You should get the forms you need.
To get a restraining order against the person, you need a packet of forms from the clerk of court.Depending on where you live, the paperwork you need to request a restraining order varies.You can find paperwork at a local women's shelter.Make sure you get the right paperwork for your situation, as these forms may be specific to domestic violence restraining orders.You can fill out the forms on your computer from the court's website.
Step 13: You have to fill out the forms.
If you want the court to issue a restraining order, you must fill out the forms accurately.The name and address of the person you want the court to restrain must be provided.If you don't know much about the other person, fill in as much as you can, and leave anything else blank.If you do not have an accurate name and address for the person, you won't be able to have them served, and your order will not be made permanent.
Step 14: You should sign your forms.
Some forms may require you to sign them in public.If the packet of forms includes an affidavit, you must sign it in front of a Notary so your identity and signature can be verified.This and other forms may have a block made for the notary to sign the document and affix his or her seal.If you don't know where to look, you can ask at the courthouse or go to a professional association website such as the National Notary Association, which has a searchable directory.It is possible that you will have to pay a small fee for the services.Make at least two copies of everything after you've signed everything.You can find out if the courts require additional copies from the court clerk.
Step 15: The clerk of court can help you with your forms.
To get a temporary restraining order, you must file the forms with the clerk.You don't have to pay a fee to file a petition for a restraining order in most states.The clerk will schedule a hearing and issue a temporary restraining order when you file your initial paperwork.This will keep the person away from you.
Step 16: The forms should be served on the person you want restrained.
To make your temporary restraining order permanent, the person must have noticed that you've asked the court for the order so he or she can contest it.The documents can be served by the sheriff's department or a private process serving company.In some places the sheriff's department will waive process serving fees for restraining orders.The judge won't issue a permanent restraining order without proof that the person has been served and had the opportunity to attend the hearing.Your temporary order will end on the date of your hearing, and can't be renewed without an additional hearing.
Step 17: Attend the hearing.
Unless you appear in open court, your temporary restraining order won't be permanent.In court, you can show the judge any evidence you have of the extortion or threats the person has made against you.If you filed a police report, you should bring copies.If you're concerned for your safety, you might consider taking friends or family with you to court if you need to restrain someone.If the person you want the court to restrain doesn't attend the hearing, the judge typically will grant your permanent restraining order if you can prove that they presented a threat to you and they failed to attend.The judge will listen to both of you before making a decision on your restraining order.