Scam Alert | Social Media Safeguarding Reminder

We have been made aware of a scam within our ice skating environment involving children/young people being contacted via TikTok and encouraged to send photos of themselves. The scammer then uses AI to create an inappropriate image of the child/young person and threatens to distribute it unless money is paid. The police are aware of these incidents. This is a national scam and is not specific to any particular club or rink. Please remember the risks of social media and in particular:

• Do not send photographs to people you don’t know, even if they claim to know you from the rink/club.

• Do not accept friend/follow requests from people you don’t recognise.

• Never send intimate or compromising images.

• If someone threatens or blackmails you, do not pay them and do not engage further.

• Tell a trusted adult immediately and report the account to TikTok and the police.
  

We need to make sure our young people are aware of this scam and know what to do if they are targeted. BIS will continue to look into this matter to protect the people in our sport. If you require any support or have any enquiries please feel to contact: John.Mills@iceskating.org.uk

Thank you for helping us keep our young people safe,

British Ice Skating