Stay Safe from Crypto Scams
Protect yourself from fake ICOs, pump and dumps, wallet hacks, and celebrity impersonators. Learn crypto security essentials.
What You'll Learn
Common Cryptocurrency Scams
The wild west of finance attracts sophisticated scammers - know their tactics
Fake ICOs & Token Sales
Critical RiskFraudulent Initial Coin Offerings for cryptocurrencies that don't exist or have no real utility, stealing millions from investors.
Professional websites, whitepapers, and fake team members. They disappear after collecting funds, leaving worthless tokens.
- Guaranteed returns promised
- Anonymous team members
- Pressure to invest quickly
Pump and Dump Schemes
Very High RiskCoordinated buying to artificially inflate a coin's price, followed by mass selling that crashes the value.
Often organized in private groups promising "insider information" or "signals." You'll be left holding worthless coins.
- Sudden price spikes
- "Buy now" urgency
- Low-cap unknown coins
Malicious Wallet Apps
Critical RiskFake wallet applications that steal your private keys and seed phrases, giving scammers complete access to your funds.
Even official app stores have fake wallets. One typo in the app name could cost you everything.
- Similar names to real wallets
- Few or fake reviews
- Requests seed phrase
Celebrity Crypto Giveaways
High RiskFake Elon Musk, Vitalik Buterin, or other celebrities promising to double your crypto if you send them coins first.
Live streams with deepfakes, hacked verified accounts, and sophisticated websites. No celebrity gives away free crypto.
- "Send 1 BTC, get 2 back"
- Time-limited offers
- QR codes to send crypto
DeFi Rug Pulls
Very High RiskDevelopers drain liquidity pools or use backdoors in smart contracts to steal all invested funds.
High APY promises and anonymous teams. Always check for audits and look for locked liquidity.
- Unrealistic yields (1000%+ APY)
- No code audits
- Anonymous developers
Phishing & Fake Sites
High RiskFake exchange websites and wallet interfaces designed to steal login credentials and private keys.
Scammers buy ads for fake sites that appear above real ones in search results. Always verify URLs carefully.
- Slight URL misspellings
- No HTTPS padlock
- Asks for seed phrases
How to Protect Yourself
Essential security practices for cryptocurrency users
Use Hardware Wallets
Store significant holdings in hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor. Never enter seed phrases online or in any app.
Verify Everything Twice
Double-check wallet addresses, website URLs, and smart contracts. Use bookmarks for exchanges and official sources.
Enable 2FA Everywhere
Use authenticator apps (not SMS) for two-factor authentication on all exchange accounts. Consider using a dedicated device.
Research Before Investing
Check team backgrounds, read audits, verify partnerships. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Never Share Private Keys
Your private keys and seed phrases should never be shared with anyone, typed online, or stored digitally. Write them down offline.
Crypto Security Features
Tools and practices to protect your digital assets
Multi-Signature Wallets
Require multiple approvals for transactions, preventing single points of failure in security.
Cold Storage
Keep majority of funds offline in hardware wallets or paper wallets, away from internet threats.
Whitelisting
Limit withdrawals to pre-approved addresses only, preventing unauthorized transfers.
Time Delays
Set withdrawal delays giving you time to cancel suspicious transactions before execution.
Smart Contract Audits
Professional code reviews that identify vulnerabilities before investing in DeFi protocols.
Blockchain Explorer
Verify transactions and check wallet histories before interacting with unknown addresses.
I've Been Scammed - What Now?
Act fast but understand crypto transactions are usually irreversible
Move Remaining Funds
If account is compromised, immediately transfer any remaining crypto to a new secure wallet.
Create New WalletContact Exchange
If scam involved an exchange, report immediately. They may freeze accounts or trace funds.
Exchange ContactsReport to IC3
File detailed report with FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center including transaction hashes.
IC3.govDocument Everything
Screenshot wallets, transaction IDs, communications, and website URLs for law enforcement.
Evidence GuideBlockchain Analysis
Some services trace stolen crypto. Consider professional help for significant losses.
Tracing ServicesTax Implications
Theft losses may be tax deductible. Consult a crypto-aware tax professional.
Tax ResourcesResources & Support
Essential tools and information for crypto security
Security Tools
Hardware wallets, authenticators, and security analysis tools for protecting your crypto.
Verification Sites
Check smart contract audits, verify project teams, and research token legitimacy.
Scam Databases
Report and check known scam addresses, websites, and projects before interacting.