People often think blackmail won’t happen to them, but recent statistics suggest otherwise. The internet has made it possible for scammers to try to extort money in many ways, and the numbers are growing rapidly. Are you curious about whether or not Blackmail is illegal in Oklahoma? Look no further – read on to find out more!
Is Blackmail Illegal in Oklahoma?
Yes, blackmail is very illegal in Oklahoma and considered a form of extortion. In the state, blackmail is verbal or written, or printed communication with the intent to extort or gain anything of value from another or to compel another to act against his or her will.
Oklahoma Blackmail Laws and Penalties
Under 21 OK Stat § 21-1488 (2014) an individual can be charged with blackmail if they act on the following.
- Accusing or threatening to accuse any person of a crime or conduct which would tend to degrade and disgrace the person accused;
- Exposing or threatening to expose any fact, report, or information concerning any person which would in any way subject such person to the ridicule or contempt of society; or
- Threatening to report a person as being illegally present in the United States, and is coupled with the threat that such accusation or exposure will be communicated to a third person or persons unless the person threatened or some other person pays or delivers to the accuser or some other person something of value or do some act against his or her will. Internet blackmail is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not to exceed five (5) years or a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or by both such imprisonment and fine.
Under Oklahoma law, blackmail and extortion are considered felony offenses. If convicted, a person can be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison and sentenced to pay a $10,000 fine.
How to Avoid Blackmail in Oklahoma?
Navigating the digital world has its unique challenges, including reducing your risk of being scammed through blackmail. Anonymity on the internet makes it harder to safeguard our personal information – so here are some tips for keeping control in an ever-changing technological landscape.
- Know Your Rights: It’s important to understand that no one has the right to threaten you with damaging information unless they have evidence that proves their claims. If someone contacts you demanding money or other favors under threat of revealing damaging information about you, tell them politely but firmly that what they are doing constitutes blackmail and that you will contact law enforcement if they continue.
- Protect Your Information: Be aware of who has access to sensitive information about you, such as financial records or personal documents. If possible, consider using encryption software or other measures to protect your data from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. This includes both physical documents as well as digital ones stored on your computer or online services such as cloud storage solutions.
- Be Cautious with Your Social Media Presence: Be mindful of what personal information you share online — especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter—as it can be used against you if released without your consent.
Consider limiting who can see your posts and photos on social media sites by adjusting the privacy settings accordingly. Additionally, be wary of strangers sending friend requests out of the blue as they could be attempting to gain access to sensitive information about yourself or others close to you through social media accounts.
Conclusions
By understanding what constitutes blackmail you will never find yourself questioning whether or not blackmail is illegal in Oklahoma. Taking proactive steps such as protecting your data and monitoring your social media presence closely, can help reduce the risk of becoming involved in a potential blackmail situation in Oklahoma.
If someone does threaten you with damaging information under threat of revealing it publicly, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself! Contacting law enforcement immediately may also be necessary depending on the severity of the case at hand; always make sure that safety comes first when dealing with situations like this one.
