How to report a threatening email

If you receive a threatening email, it's essential to report it to the appropriate authorities and take steps to protect yourself. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to report a threatening email:

Report the email to the sender's email provider

  1. Forward the email to the sender's email provider's abuse department. You can usually find this information by searching for "report abuse" or "abuse department" on the sender's email provider's website.
  2. Provide a detailed description of the email, including the sender's email address, the content of the email, and any relevant context.

Report the email to the authorities

  1. Contact your local law enforcement agency or police department. They can help you determine the appropriate course of action and provide guidance on how to proceed.
  2. File a report with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the email is related to a cybercrime or online harassment.
  3. Report the email to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) if the email is related to child exploitation or abuse.

Take steps to protect yourself

  1. Do not respond to the email or engage with the sender.
  2. Change your email password and consider enabling two-factor authentication.
  3. Monitor your email accounts for any suspicious activity.
  4. Consider reporting the email to your email provider's customer support team.
  5. Keep a record of the email, including any relevant screenshots or printouts.

Additional resources

  1. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides guidance on how to report online harassment and cyberstalking.
  2. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers resources on how to report cyber threats and online harassment.
  3. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) provides guidance on how to report online harassment and stalking.

Example email templates

Here are some example email templates you can use to report a threatening email:

To the sender's email provider's abuse department:

Subject: Report of threatening email

Dear Abuse Department,

I am reporting a threatening email that I received from [sender's email address]. The email contains the following content:

[Insert content of the email]

I believe this email is a threat and I am concerned for my safety. I would like to report this email to your abuse department and request that it be investigated and removed from your servers.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

To the authorities:

Subject: Report of threatening email

Dear [Law Enforcement Agency],

I am reporting a threatening email that I received from [sender's email address]. The email contains the following content:

[Insert content of the email]

I believe this email is a threat and I am concerned for my safety. I would like to report this email to your agency and request that it be investigated and appropriate action be taken.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Remember to always prioritize your safety and well-being when dealing with threatening emails. If you feel threatened or harassed, do not hesitate to seek help from the authorities or a trusted friend or family member.