Crypto Scams

Never send a seed phrase or private key, and do not pay an unexpected fee to unlock or recover funds. Verify support through a channel you reach independently, preserve evidence, and contact the relevant provider if you already sent money or exposed access.

Watch for fake support accounts, copied logos, urgent warnings, giveaway claims, and requests to scan a QR code or transfer crypto to a supposed safe wallet. The FTC describes impersonation and recovery scams and notes that crypto transfers are typically difficult to reverse; treat unsolicited recovery offers with particular caution.

A seed phrase or private key controls wallet access. No legitimate troubleshooting process should require you to paste it into a website or send it to a person. If you need help, start from the wallet or service's official app/site and locate its support instructions yourself.

If you already interacted, stop further transfers, save the address, transaction hash, messages, dates, and account references, and contact the exchange or provider used through a verified channel. Report the incident to an appropriate authority in your jurisdiction. Do not pay a second party promising guaranteed recovery.

If a message feels suspicious

• Do not click, sign, scan, or transfer while pressured
• Verify identity and domain using an independent route
• Never reveal wallet keys or recovery phrases
• Preserve transaction and message evidence
• Contact the provider and relevant reporting channel

Recovery promises are another risk

• No stranger can guarantee retrieval of a transfer
• A fee-first recovery offer may target prior victims
• Publicly posting a transaction can expose linked information

Pause contact, secure accounts from a trusted device, preserve the transaction details, and report through verified provider or government channels.