Scams are fraudulent attempts to seize users' information, money or crypto assets online. Scamming people or groups often try to gain the trust of users by pretending to be a real institution, platform or person. Scam methods are very diverse and constantly changing. Therefore, cryptocurrency users need to be careful and aware of scams.
In this article, we will introduce some of the most common scam methods encountered in the cryptocurrency world and give tips on how to avoid them.
Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are fake emails that appear to come from a platform or website that you are affiliated with. These emails try to trick you into saying something is wrong with your account or that you need to reset your password. When you click on a link in the e-mail, you will be directed to a fake website, where the username and password you entered will fall into the hands of the scammers.
The best way to avoid phishing emails is to carefully check the sender, content, and link of the email. Check to see if the email address is official, has typos or weird expressions. Check if the connection is secure (it should start with https) and redirects to the correct website. When you receive a suspicious email, verify from the official website of the platform or social media accounts.
Blackmail (Blackmail) Emails
Blackmail emails are fake emails that threaten to share your personal data, photos or videos with others. These emails request a certain amount of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency from you in return for not doing so. The vast majority of blackmail emails are bogus threats and are just trying to scare you.
The best way to protect yourself from blackmail emails is to ignore such emails by not responding and fulfilling their demands. It's also important to use antivirus programs, set strong passwords, and take extra security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your internet-connected devices safe.
Fake Trading Platform Websites
As the number of cryptocurrency users increases, the number of platforms where they can trade also increases. However, not all of these platforms are reliable. Some try to scam users by creating fake websites. These websites look like a real platform and offer very attractive offers to users. However, there is a trick behind these offers. When users deposit money or cryptocurrencies on these websites, they cannot get them back or trade them.
The best way to avoid fake trading platform websites is to research well which platform to use. Look at criteria such as the platform's license, security measures, customer service, transaction volume, user reviews. Make sure the platform's website is secure (it should start with https) and that you typed the correct address. Also, be wary of offers that look too good and always use common sense.
Fake Trading Platform and Wallet Mobile Applications
There may also be fake trading platforms or wallet applications in mobile app markets. These apps look like a real platform or wallet and entice users to download them. However, these apps are designed to steal users' information, money or crypto assets.
The best way to avoid fake trading platform or wallet mobile apps is to research well which app to download. Look at criteria such as the developer of the app, date of update, number of downloads, user reviews. Verify from the app's official website or social media accounts. Also, be careful when granting access to the app and deny unnecessary permissions.
Conclusion
Scam is one of the biggest problems in the cryptocurrency world. Scams are constantly developing new ways to capture users' information, money or crypto assets. Therefore, cryptocurrency users need to be careful and aware of scams. The best way to protect against scams is to use trusted platforms and apps, be skeptical of email and messages, take security precautions, and use common sense.