The Better Business Bureau is warning the public about a sextortion email scam making the rounds.

The bold and embarrassing scam preys on emotions and threatens to publicly shame its victims.

Peter Moorehouse, president and CEO of the BBB, says in all cases it starts with a person receiving an email stating that your computer has been hacked and they’ve activated your webcam.

The scammer claims they have video footage of you watching adult-type material and they threaten to send this video to all of your contacts unless you pay up.

The twist is that the email often names a password that the victim actually uses or has used in the past. It’s a result of data breaches where user information has gotten into the wrong hands, making the scam seem legitimate.

Moorehouse says there are ways to protect yourself.

He says if you get an email like this, do not click on any links, don’t reply back, just delete the email. The second thing is to change your passwords regularly. Email accounts and passwords can get out there, and this is just one way they are used maliciously. Moorehouse says to keep your antivirus and security software up-to-date and cover your webcam when you are not using it.

Moorehouse says if you have given any money or personal information to a scammer, always report it to police.