Avoiding Helper Scams in Online Content Removal Services

Scammers often prey on individuals who have been stalked online or who have had their intimate images distributed without their consent or are otherwise vulnerable. These “helper scams” may promise remedies they cannot deliver, for fees they will not refund. Scams disguised as offers to “help” vulnerable individuals are becoming more sophisticated and harder to recognize. Large Language Models (LLMs) have made it easy for fraudulent operators to create multi-page websites that use professional and polished language to appear credible.

At the same time, there are legitimate content removal services that can be both helpful and affordable. While CCRI and NRCC do not vouch for any particular service, the red flags and tips below are meant to help you evaluate the trustworthiness of services that claim to remove information or images from the internet.