Authorities are warning of a rise in “sextortion” cases.

Scammers target children online and coerce them into sending explicit photos. Then, the scammers — many outside the U.S. — demand money or threaten to release them.

Akil Davis, the FBI special agent in charge of the Phoenix Field Office, says this agency has had more than 7,000 tips this year. That's a 1,000% increase over last year, according to federal agencies.

"We've seen some of this leading to suicide," said Davis. "This is happening more frequently than we care to admit. This is not your fault, that you have been the victim of this crime."

Davis urges parents to stay engaged with what their children are up to online, especially on gaming platforms.

"That is where we've see some of these bad actors reach out to these kids ... is on your Xboxes, your Playstations," Davis said.

The FBI recommends the following steps for possible victims: 

• Contact the FBI field office (FBI Phoenix: 623-466-1999), the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-800-THE-LOST or cybertipline.org).
• Contact the local police department.
• Do not delete anything before law enforcement is able to review it.
• Tell law enforcement everything about the encounters you had online. It may be embarrassing, but it is necessary to find the offender.