Please note that this checklist is far from foolproof, as it's possible for a website to pass several of the above tests with flying colors and still be a scam. The important thing to remember is to do your due diligence before providing any personal or financial information to any website or app.
1. Phishing
The first scam on the list is one that you may well be familiar with already, as it's also been widely used to target customers from major banks.
Known as "phishing," this type of scam occurs when you receive an unsolicited email that looks as if it's from your bank or, in this case, from your crypto exchange or wallet provider. This email contains a link that takes you to a site that looks almost identical to the exchange or wallet you usually use but is actually a scam site.
Once you enter your account details on this unofficial page, the scammers have everything they need to log in to your real account and steal your funds.
How to avoid phishing scams:
- Always double-check URLs to make sure you're visiting the genuine website.
- Don't click on suspicious links that are emailed to you.
- Never disclose your private key.
2. Fake exchanges and wallets
In a similar vein to phishing scams, keep an eye out for fake bitcoin exchanges. They might walk and talk like a reputable exchange, but they're merely a front to separate consumers from their hard-earned cash.
Some will entice users with promotional offers that sound too good to be true. Others pressure users into creating an account and depositing funds, perhaps even offering "bonuses" to those who deposit larger amounts. But once they have your money these platforms might charge ridiculously high fees, make it very difficult to withdraw funds or simply steal your deposit altogether.
Other scammers have turned their attention to creating quite sophisticated fake wallet apps that, once downloaded to a user's smartphone, can be used to steal critical account details. These apps have even made it into official, legitimate app stores like Google Play, so it pays to do your research before downloading anything to your phone.
How to avoid fake exchange and fake wallet scams:
- Stick with well-known and popular exchanges.
- Thoroughly research any exchange or wallet before creating an account who is the team behind the exchange or wallet? Where is the company registered? Are there reliable reviews from other users confirming its legitimacy?
- Don't let yourself be pressured into depositing funds or providing any personal information.
- Don't just randomly pick a wallet from the app store only download apps and software from legitimate wallet providers and exchanges.
3. Old-school scams
Cryptos may be based on new technology, but there are still plenty of scammers using old tricks to con unwitting consumers.
The classic example of this is an unsolicited phone call or email from someone claiming to be with the IRS. This fictional tax man will try to convince you that you owe the IRS money and you'll be facing legal action if you don't transfer them a certain amount of bitcoin as soon as possible.
The tried-and-tested "Nigerian prince" scam has also migrated into the world of cryptocurrency. So if you're ever contacted out of the blue by someone overseas promising you a share in a large sum of digital currency if you help them transfer funds out of their own country, use your common sense and recognize it for the scam it is.
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