Scams and Staying Safe

Crypto transactions can't be reversed

There's no bank to call and no chargeback. That's why scammers target crypto, and why a few habits matter so much.

Common scams

• Fake support: someone "from support" DMs you and asks for your seed phrase or to "verify" your wallet. Real support never does this.
• Address poisoning: a scammer sends you a tiny amount from an address that looks like one you've used, hoping you'll copy it from your history later.
• Clipboard hijacking: malware swaps the address you copied for the attacker's address when you paste.
• Giveaways: "Send 1, get 2 back." You only ever get 0.
• Phishing sites: look-alike websites or apps that ask you to connect your wallet or enter your seed.
• Fake payment proof: a screenshot or forged email saying "payment sent".
• Look-alike names: readable wallet names (like name.eth on Ethereum or $name on Cardano) are easy to fake by changing one letter. Check that it points to the address you expect.
• Fake shop addresses: someone poses as a shop and DMs you an address to pay. Real shops get paid through their Crypto Barter checkout or counter QR.

Habits that protect you

• Never share your seed phrase or private key. With anyone. Ever.
• Scan the QR or copy the address fresh from the app, then check the first and last characters.
• Don't copy addresses from your transaction history.
• Paying to a readable name instead of an address? Confirm the address it resolves to before you send.
• Bookmark the sites you use instead of clicking links in messages.
• Hand over items only after the app shows the payment as confirmed.
• Meet in public, well-lit places for P2P meetups.