Please note that UCI CARE offices will be closed on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM for staff development and training. 

If immediate assistance is required, the following resources are available:

1)    The UCI Counseling Center provides confidential 24-hour phone access to counselors.  https://counseling.uci.edu/         
(949) 824-6457

2)    Waymakers is a local organization that provides confidential resources for survivors of sexual assault.
Their 24-hour hotline is (949) 831-9110.  https://waymakersoc.org/

3)     Human Options provides confidential resources for individuals experiencing relationship abuse.
Their 24-hour hotline is (877) 854-3594.  https://humanoptions.org/ 

4)    The UCI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity provides information about the campus disciplinary process and resource information.  Their number is (949) 824-5594.   oeod.uci.edu  

5)    The UCI Police Department is available to take reports 24 hours a day. Their number is (949) 824-5223. 
Please dial 911 if you have an immediate safety concern.  https://police.uci.edu/

Applications for winter quarter Yoga as Healing program is now available. 
For more information, please select this link:  https://care.uci.edu/services/holistic-healing.html#reconnect

Anti-violence work in all of is forms requires us to be anti-racist and dismantle systems that perpetuate violence.  In addition to the prevention of power-based personal violence, the CARE office is committed to the elimination of racism, sexism and all other systems of oppression.

To our black UCI community, we see you and hear you.  Your lives matter.  We remain committed to building awareness, being accountable and working to change flawed systems.  UCI CARE will continue to create spaces and resources to promote healing and encourage community care while we do this work. 

We know this is a difficult, scary and traumatic time.  To all students, staff and faculty at UCI who are hurting, we are here for you.

CARE  care@uci.edu  (949) 824-7273   care.uci.edu  

Counseling Center  (949) 824-6457   counselng.uci.edu

Staff & Faculty Support Resources  (949) 824-5208  nshekara@uci.edu

How does webcam blackmail work?

A person with an attractive profile on a dating website or social media site will initiate contact and/or a friend request. The scammer will use fake pictures and other social media accounts to look as real as possible. Once added, the scammer will retrieve personal information like contact information, lists of friends and family members, colleagues, classmates and photos through continued conversation and profile data. The conversation will then turn “naughty” and move towards communicating on the webcam. The scammer may be interacting live or they may use a pre-recorded video, which tricks the victim into believing this person is real. They engage in a more “adult” webcam game and throughout this, the scammer will be recording the victim’s actions. After video of the victim is recorded, the video will go black and the scammer reveals themselves and begins the blackmail. Once the scammer is in possession of a private video which involves nudity, masturbation, etc and has access to personal information, they will request the payment of money in exchange for not spreading the video to your contacts or online. Fear is the scammer’s best ally in these situations.

Safety tip: Prior to accepting new friend requests, check your privacy settings to protect personal information and do not engage in sexy webcam video chats with strangers to prevent this from happening to you. If it has happened to you or someone you know, the following recommendations have been reported helpful by other victims of this type of scam:

1) Cut off all contact with the scammers. Terrorizing you is the scammer’s best weapon to get you to pay the amount requested.

2) Do not pay the amount request. This can encourage continued threats and harassment for more money.

3) If possible, delete your accounts and change your phone number. If you cannot delete, do not respond to any messages.

4) Make sure that your account is secure and adjust the privacy settings so that no one can see your friends. You can also contact your Facebook friends and let them know that a hacker will try to make contact with them and to not click on anything they send.

5) Remember that you can always come to the CARE office and speak with an advocate for support.

6) Contact the police department.

http://www.sos-webcam-blackmail.com/cam-scam-procedure.html