Knowing the signs of frauds is one of the best ways to stay safe. There are as many cryptocurrency skeptics as there are fans. Given the number of crypto scams, many people may ask, “Is crypto a scam.” However, in spite of the problems and the controversy surrounding digital currencies, it’s clear that cryptocurrencies and the blockchain are here to stay.
Just as people got accustomed to using the internet in the 2000s, in spite of the dangers, cryptocurrency users will become more astute at spotting potential bitcoin scams. Becoming familiar with types of crypto scams as well as applying tips to stay secure are the best ways to avoid having your digital currency stolen on the blockchain.
Crypto scams have increased dramatically in the past few years. The FBI identifies crypto scams as the leading type of online financial fraud. In 2021, $14 billion was lost in digital currency schemes, an increase of 79% over the previous year.
Taking steps to stay safe on the blockchain is essential. The following are ways to detect a scam involving cryptocurrency.
Any broker or merchant is naturally quite proud of their brand and their accomplishments. They want to reveal the names of their team and their credentials. However, if you notice that the crypto service has no website, or if it does, no names of the people who run the operation and no contact information, you may have walked right into a crypto scam. Get away as fast as you can.
The blockchain, at least as of now, isn’t regulated. That is the appeal of cryptocurrencies, at least for some people. A lot of crypto fans love the freedom and the lack of interference by regulators. However, the dark side to this lack of regulation is the proliferation of bitcoin scams. If you are trading cryptocurrency, do so with a licensed exchange or company.
A good sign that you're probably dealing with a scam is when they are asking for your crypto codes and keys is never alright. A crypto scam may also ask for unnecessary but highly sensitive information like your Social Security number, Passwords, One Time PIN (OTP) and other similar information which when shared may be used to access your personal accounts.
Most scammers are untrained and therefore they do not know how to effectively provide customer service or even basic customer relation. If the people you are dealing with you just won’t leave you alone, that isn’t just toxic, it can also be a sign of a crypto scam. Legitimate operations don’t need to come off as desperate to get business, money, customers or clients.
If the company or exchange isn’t straightforward about it's policies on deposits and withdrawals, returns and warranties, they should not be trusted. Look for terms and conditions on the website, usually at the bottom links of the websites and read them carefully.
If the company or exchange keeps asking you to make more deposits, you should probably take a closer look. Hard sell techniques are annoying and are usually a red flag. If you are dealing with a crypto broker that demands more and more deposits, it may be a crypto Ponzi scheme.
Once they have taken your money, the people who run bitcoin scams have a tendency to simply disappear. If you can’t contact people you have just sent money to, that is a bad sign. Usually a definite sign that you may have just been scammed. Seek help immediately to ensure you can get your funds back.