AGE
Adults only
Anything involving someone under 18 goes to child-safety authorities, for free, and is never paid work.
FREE SAFETY CHECKLIST
FREE SAFETY CHECKLISTPRIVATENEVER SEND IMAGES
Free checklist
Your safest next step, before you ask anyone for help.
This page helps you avoid unsafe moves: what never to send, what to keep, which free options fit, and when a private case review with AboutUs may help. No images needed.
Before you decide
18+ onlyAnything involving someone under 18 goes to NCMEC and local law enforcement, never a paid service.
A short description firstThe free options are listed here. The answer for your case stays private.
A person, not a formIntimate-image and sextortion cases start with a private conversation, never with a payment.
How the checklist works
A private check before you pay anyone.
The checklist doesn’t search the internet, quote a price, or ask for sensitive files. It checks your safety first, lists what to keep out, and points you to a private review when you need a real answer.
TYPE✓
Your situation first
The right answer is different for posted intimate images, sextortion, doxxing, defamation, or a general reputation problem.
FREE✓
Free options before any fee
Official reporting, saving evidence safely, and when to stop are shown before any paid help.
PRIVATE✓
A person for sensitive cases
Intimate-image and sextortion cases go to a private conversation with a short description.
What this checklist is
A checklist, not your case file.
The checklist helps you get your bearings. It helps you make safe first notes; if you hire us, your private case file holds the answer for your case.
THIS PAGE·
This checklist shows the safe first steps.
It says what to keep out and what to save. It is not your case file.
CASE FILE·
Your private case file holds the work.
The answer for your case, messages, limits, and what proof is needed stay in your private case file.
PAYMENT·
No payment before a written scope.
AboutUs doesn't take payment until the safety options, refund terms, and the list of accepted items are written down.
PERSON·
Sensitive matters go to a person.
Adult intimate images, AI nudes, sextortion, and urgent threats go to a private conversation with a person, never to a payment page.
Three stages
Notes, then a written scope, then your case file.
Your notes
Your situation, what to keep out, which free option you tried, and what is still unresolved.
WRITTEN BEFORE YOU PAY
Written scope
The list of accepted items, what is out of scope, and how results will be checked.
Private case file
Your saved notes, each reply, every message, and the final result report.
Where AboutUs fits after the checklist
The checklist is free. The paid work is the case file.
The free checklist can help you get your bearings. What you would pay for is careful, tracked work: a private answer, every message followed up, and a final result report.
SCOPE·
A written scope
Free checklistThe checklist points to the safe next step.
Your case fileYour case file gives a written answer: a private review, a written quote, a rate-card price, or a reason to stop.
ANSWER·
A private answer
Free checklistThe checklist stays general.
Your case fileYour case file has the answer for your case, when you need a lawyer instead, and what AboutUs won't take on.
FOLLOW-UP·
Every message tracked
Free checklistThe site tells you messages are tracked.
Your case fileYour case file tracks each reply, each delay, your updates, and what is still unresolved.
RESULTS·
A final result report
Free checklistThe site explains the difference between removal at the source and search delisting.
Your case fileYour final report labels each item: source removed, search delisted, unresolved, declined, or referred to an official option.
Kept private
What stays private.
Who owns what stays in your case file.
Next steps for your case stay in your case file.
The answer for your case stays in your case file.
Free safety options stay public and useful for everyone.
Safe first steps
Open enough to stay safe.
These steps help you avoid unsafe moves and save the right things. The hard answers come later, privately.
PAUSE·
Stop things getting worse.
Don't post publicly, forward anything, bargain, or pay anyone.
Keep the threats and a note of where the content appears together, privately.
SAFETY·
Put safety first, before any payment.
Adult intimate images and sextortion go to a private conversation with a person; anything involving someone under 18 goes only to official child-safety channels.
A short private description is enough. Never send the images.
REPLIES·
Keep the official replies.
Save any confirmation or reply from a platform or official program.
Bring those replies to a private review. What they mean for your case is worked out privately.
REVIEW·
Get the hard answer privately.
Where things stand, the limits, and any reason we say no are recorded in your private case file.
Bring one short, organized summary instead of retelling the whole story publicly.
Share
A short private description of where it appears and what changed.
Hold back
Intimate files, passwords, full ID or card numbers, and anything involving someone under 18.
Links, not files
Public links or account names. We do not accept files, screenshots, or identity documents.
NEXT
Check the safety steps below, then fill in the short checklist. You’ll end up with a short summary you can keep private.
By situation
What to do first, by situation.
This page gives the safe first steps, not a plan for your specific case. If you hire us, your private case file holds the written scope, the answer for your case, and your report.
CRISISCrisis help→
Situation
Physical danger, risk of self-harm, or panic.
First step
Emergency help (911) and 988 come before any removal paperwork.
Keep in mind
Come back to a private review only when you are safe enough to decide.
ADULT IMAGESOfficial options→
Situation
Everyone was 18+ when the image was made and is 18+ now.
First step
Check the free options for adults and the platform's own report before any AboutUs work.
Keep in mind
Bring a short private description and any replies you got. Never send the images.
UNDER 18NCMEC help→
Situation
Anyone was under 18 when the image or video was created.
First step
Use NCMEC's CyberTipline and Take It Down. This is never paid AboutUs work.
Keep in mind
Don't send the content to us or any company.
THREATSSextortion help→
Situation
Someone is threatening to post, send, or keep spreading the material.
First step
Stop replying, save the messages, and report it to the FBI's IC3 or the police.
Keep in mind
Keep the threats saved privately. Don't pay.
SEARCHSearch options→
Situation
The main problem is a Google result or your contact information showing in search.
First step
Search removal only changes what search shows. Don't confuse a hidden result with removing the page.
Keep in mind
Keep the search result and the page itself as two separate questions.
ABOUTUSCheck us before you pay→
Situation
The free option stalls, it keeps coming back, or something is still unresolved.
First step
For intimate images or threats, ask us privately or request a private review. For other content, request a written quote.
Keep in mind
Check the written scope, safety options, refund terms, and the limits of the result before you pay.
Official options
See each official option, what it's for, its limits, and what to keep out of it, before retelling your story.
Open→Save evidence safely
Keep a short private description and any official replies together. Keep intimate images out of every form.
Open→Where AboutUs fits
If a free option solves it, stop there. If something is still unresolved, it can go into a written scope.
Open→01Age
02Situation
03Checklist
First — is everyone involved 18 or older?
Including you, if you were under 18 when the content was made. If the image was made before 18, choose the under-18 answer even if you are an adult now.