Extortion is the threatening, coercive act of demanding payment, favorable government action from a public official, or another benefit from someone in return for not doing violent, physical harm or injury to the victim or his property, or revealing compromising or damaging information about the victim (whether it is true or false), or causing unfavorable government action against the victim or his interests. Extortion (sometimes referred to as the crime of coercion or blackmail) is a criminal offense in all states and under federal law.

Extortion can occur in person, by telephone, by U.S. mail, by e-mail, by text message, through social media, or by other means of communication.

The definition and penalties for the crime of extortion vary from state to state—in some states blackmail is part of the criminal offense of extortion, and in some states blackmail and extortion are separate criminal offenses.

The crime of extortion may be prosecuted as a felony in some states—with potential prison time—or as a misdemeanor eligible for probation. The crime of extortion is usually located in a state’s statutes. And extortion is also a crime under federal law. See 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876.

In Oregon, extortion is considered a serious criminal offense and is defined under ORS 164.075 as 'Coercion.' The statute makes it illegal to use threats to compel another person to abstain from engaging in lawful conduct or to compel the person to engage in conduct against their will. The threats can include harm to the person, property, or reputation, or the threat of criminal charges, among others. Extortion can be prosecuted whether it occurs in person or through any means of communication. The crime of coercion in Oregon is classified as a Class C felony, which can result in significant penalties, including potential prison time. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized under 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, which also covers threats made through interstate communication and other federal jurisdictions. Penalties under federal law can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the specific circumstances involved.