HOW TO protect yourself from Scammers

[wallstone]

Sear for no one to show their passwords and private key, do not pass to non-secure links and be extremely careful

Do not ever share or show your password and private to anyone so that you can assure that no one can open your wallet. Furthermore, just keep your wallet in a safe place and do not trust anyone. Lastly, you must have some information on that so you can avoid scammers and be careful on social media.

[Lemayilleur]

I think that in this plan you should become paranoid and always think that you want to be deceived! It is necessary to check all the details, correctly write each letter, do not store the password in an easily accessible place, do not store money on the stock exchange and so on!

[Aing]

Be careful and read more about the project before you invest or join in any bounty.  It is much important to read first and learn how the project really works.

In case of bounty, we only lost our time. But if we invest in the ICO, the worst is that our money is not doubled, our money can just disappear. No one can't just join without reading anything. Learn the project, then do invest after that.

[Kambal2000]

Be careful and read more about the project before you invest or join in any bounty.  It is much important to read first and learn how the project really works.

In case of bounty, we only lost our time. But if we invest in the ICO, the worst is that our money is not doubled, our money can just disappear. No one can't just join without reading anything. Learn the project, then do invest after that.

Well, a lot of precautions out there that we need in order to prevent ourselves from scammers, we also have our own knowledge and we can feel strange feeling if something is wrong that is why we need to be careful with everything that we are doing so the scammers will be having a hard time making money.

[Sabinas17]

I have often seen in the tables on the bounty, where is your wallet's address was the key, you need to be careful. very often try to steal personal data through other sites, throw you a link and you go through it and all the data from them! you need to be very careful and never show your passwords to anyone!

[electronus]

The unstable link in crypto-security is people. investors often make their own mistakes and because of this lose their money. so there are some rules: watch out for the security of your computer. use a dedicated PC or mobile device, as well as a secure network. Do not be lazy to create strong passwords, encrypt data and create from a backup. Be careful with mobile authentication and install two purses: the main and multicurrency. Use the services of third-party companies for cyber security and pay attention to browsers. and be sure to use caution on the network.

[blue_id69]

First and foremost be very cautious. The fact that you can lose your money within seconds is alarming and as such don't give out your private keys and personal data Scammers can be seen all around, and bitcoin is no exception to it. As each and every activity related to bitcoin takes place through the internet it is easy for the scammers to make people fall into the trap. To stay away from those scammers we need to analyze the particular project in a better way and one thing need to be considered is the luck. Some looks perfectly legit and at some point they scam us and by that situation we cannot do anything. Beware of scammers. Don't trust anybody

[paulk11087]

It's really hard to get rid of them, and whatever you do, they are still somehow out of the question. Do your best research and enter this market. It seems to be most logical to stay away from everything you do not know.

[BestW1shes]

First of all, use hardware and paper wallets

[muhammedb]

I was making a list for my team on how to stay away from Crypto scammers, and thought I would just share it here as well.

Here are the type of Crypto scammers that I have encountered

Type 1. ICO as a SCAM - (More info contributed by: tosindesign)
There are ICOs that are only designed to get your money. Once the ICO is over then the pages are taken off the net and the makers of the ICO disappear with the money. The last case we reported was LoopX, but this is not the only case.

How can you protect yourself?
1. (by: tosindesign) Generally there is no 100% protection here. A good indication for a scam is there is no team mentioned on the website or whitepaper. Although everything is very superficial and promised a lot, but after reading the white paper is not clear how that should be possible.
2. (by: GeckoTrader) One of the best things to do to avoid ICO scamming is to learn and back read all information about that ICO. As they always say " More knowledge is power"
3. (by: GeckoTrader) The team should have been communicating to the community.
4. (by: GeckoTrader) Always they should have an update from their company. If you sense something fishy do not hesitate to ask question from them. In that means you can confirm whether they are legit or just a bunch of scammers.

Type 2. Scammers who sell FAKE COINS (name / coin code is same but coin generating contract is different)
How to protect yourself: Check the contract address of these coins, if it came from the same contract address

Type 3. Social media scammers - Would post like "I will send you 50 ETH if you send me 5"
How to protect yourself: This is an easy one, they all are scammers. Dont even respond.

Type 4: Identity theft scammers - These guys will contact you as CEOs of ICOs or Social celebrities, usually banking upon the names of a famous person
How to protect yourself: Try pinging them from an another ID of theirs (say if scammer pinged you from Telegram, drop them a message over their facebook ID) and ask them to check that message. This would work as a Two-Factor-Authentication for that personality.

Type 5: Malicious code Trojans - Like Wordpress or Chrome plugins, that would use your machine to mine for crypto currencies, using your machine for the same
How to protect yourself: Try not to do plugins or replace them with cloud powered services, OR, Install only trusted plugins, with loads of reviews maybe. I wont be surprised if these trojans take shape of free downloadable games or cracked softwares downloadable for desktop or your mobile.

Type 6: Online Seed Generators (contributed by: tosindesign)
For some wallets (eg the IOTA Wallet) you have to set your own seed. In the case of IOTA, this is an 81-digit password that must consist of uppercase letters and at least one 9. Since some did not want to generate a password themselves, they resorted to online seed generators. These generate you by mouse click an 81-digit seed. However, as it turns out later, a few of these seed generators also stored the generated passwords, The stored seeds were then later used to steal the assets of the investors concerned. You have to know that the seed is something like the master key that allows all credits to be transferred. A thief does not even have to have access to your computer on which the wallet is installed. The seed is enough to access your balance on another computer.

How can you protect yourself?
Never use an online seed generator! When generating an 81-digit seed, all you have to do is push 81 random keys on your keyboard.

Type 7: Phishing website attempts (contributed by: tosindesign)
Scammers would copy exact replica of the websites (wallets, exchanges) and try to get you to login, thereby recording you password. For example, the page Blockchain.info was copied to get the logins. You have to know that Blockchain.info also offers a wallet service where Wallet could save your bitcoins. If Google users searched for “Blockchain info” in some countries, they ran a Google ad that led to Blockchaina.info, a cheat site that has nothing to do with Blockchain.info. The site was a 1: 1 copy of Blockchain.info and was only designed to get login information from users. There are also similar attempts to MyEtherwallet.com and other sites.

How can you protect yourself?
Never click anywhere on a link to a page where you want to log in. The best way is to bookmark the pages and just go over the web pages. In addition, you should always look for the SSL encryption. There will not be a page that stores important data from you and is located at http: //. All pages should now be encrypted SSL and have a https: // domain (although the pages can also be accessed at http: // they will redirect to https: //). The SSL certificates will also show you every browser, for example by a small lock symbol.


Type 9: Used Ledger Nano (contributed by: tosindesign)
At ebay and in other marketplaces there are always offers to buy the Ledger Nano a bit cheaper. This is particularly interesting now, where the Ledger Nano S is sold out and will be available again in one month. There have been cases in the past when users bought a used ledger on ebay and the seed from the ledger was already filled out. Anyone who has not owned a ledger to date will hardly register the difference. Of course, the previous owners have also noted the seed in these cases, which then allows them to get access to the crypto currencies that the new owner stores on the Ledger Nano S.  

How can you protect yourself?
If you want to use a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano S, buy it directly from the manufacturer and make sure that it is still original packed. The enclosed note on which you can write down the seed should never be filled.

Type 10: Airdrops that ask for personal information (contributed by: StarKay)
There are hyped up airdrops that may ask for KYC information, that may end up being used by scammers / hackers.

How to protect yourself:
Think of your personal information as an investment as well. Research who you are giving your information to and why that ICO will need it

Type 11: Identity theft via Social Media - (contributed by: darkangel11)
You have to realize what they want from you. In the end it's always your money, while in the process they may want some personal data, a phone number, whatever they can get into.

How to protect yourself: Never willingly give anything. Don't share your real social media accounts with random people, keep your email addresses to yourself and if you have to use them make sure to have burner emails. What are burners? Not necessarily emails created for every forum and project. Just emails that don't contain your personal data and that you're not using for online shopping, banking and so on.

Please add more below, or share your story.

To be scam by scammers is very easily but I think we all need to be care in the kind of project we invest on.
Like most ico project always make sure you study and understand what the project is all about before you you think of putting your fund or if possible try and get in touch with the CEO of the project

[coinnumber]

Most of this type of scam do succeed due to greediness many people what's to make more than 100% profits over night which is not as easy as they look it to be, cryptocurrency world is a gradual process and needs patient. Just have to avoid greedy habits and stay focus on investing, trading or bounties through this mediums you can attained any level here in the cryptocurrency world not by try to get any coin in a manipulated way only then you will be a bit free from be scammed.

[Kupid002]

It's really hard to get rid of them, and whatever you do, they are still somehow out of the question. Do your best research and enter this market. It seems to be most logical to stay away from everything you do not know.

Exactly as long as this is not to be familiar you have to be more careful of it and think or atleast you have to be more practical on what you have to do with , be alert for actuve scammers be aware that you cant be ine of their victim.

[Reagan_alvaro]

thanks for these information, i learnt from it and i also see it as an eye opener. although you have said it all ... there is no 100% precautions that proof safety when it comes to internet fraud but we just have to be care in all our dealings to avoid scammers.

I do not think Share your real social media account with a random person, save your email address for yourself and if you must use it be sure to have an email burner. What is a burner? Emails are not necessarily made for every forum and project. Only emails that do not contain your personal data and which you do not use for online shopping, banking, and so on.
You must first realize what they want from you. In the end it's always your money, while in the process they may want some personal data, phone numbers, whatever they can enter. SO, to avoid scammers never give anything.

[okala]

Thank you sir for opening our eyes to this reality as many of us here has been scam one way or the other.  I have been scams by scam projects and icos and since then I became very wise on the ways I invest my money.
If this you information were available then I could have avoid investments on those scam's icos.  For those that got this fact I will advise us to be careful the way we invest into some of this projects or trade in the exchange.

[sidsanj]

thanks for the tips. i mostly didn't care much on these things. but after reading this i thought that i should be more vigilante.

[Equity0924]

I was scammed few hours ago. All my tokens are gone in an instant but I know it is alp my fault. Their "modus" is, 2 or more of them will pm you. One asking for your wallet private key, and the other one is asking to buy your tokens in negotiable price. They will continue to pm you. The other one will send you few tokens to make you trust them. And ask for your private key again because of some reasons they will tell you. (This is where I lost my other wallet). Next person will negotiate to your token price. Once you sent your tokens, they will not pay you. And then block.
Lesson here is don't ever trust anyone other people other than ICO people. Don't send your private key to anyone and don't make transactions to new people or person you don't even know. Be carefull everyone because crypto world is also a world full of scammers.

[Jlv]

I think you can protect yourself from scammers by not joining in their ICO project or do not invest your money to them, try to observe and have more research before letting your money in with them, be alert always.

[LigwagGanern]

I was making a list for my team on how to stay away from Crypto scammers, and thought I would just share it here as well.

Here are the type of Crypto scammers that I have encountered

Type 1. ICO as a SCAM - (More info contributed by: tosindesign)
There are ICOs that are only designed to get your money. Once the ICO is over then the pages are taken off the net and the makers of the ICO disappear with the money. The last case we reported was LoopX, but this is not the only case.

How can you protect yourself?
1. (by: tosindesign) Generally there is no 100% protection here. A good indication for a scam is there is no team mentioned on the website or whitepaper. Although everything is very superficial and promised a lot, but after reading the white paper is not clear how that should be possible.
2. (by: GeckoTrader) One of the best things to do to avoid ICO scamming is to learn and back read all information about that ICO. As they always say " More knowledge is power"
3. (by: GeckoTrader) The team should have been communicating to the community.
4. (by: GeckoTrader) Always they should have an update from their company. If you sense something fishy do not hesitate to ask question from them. In that means you can confirm whether they are legit or just a bunch of scammers.

Type 2. Scammers who sell FAKE COINS (name / coin code is same but coin generating contract is different)
How to protect yourself: Check the contract address of these coins, if it came from the same contract address

Type 3. Social media scammers - Would post like "I will send you 50 ETH if you send me 5"
How to protect yourself: This is an easy one, they all are scammers. Dont even respond.

Type 4: Identity theft scammers - These guys will contact you as CEOs of ICOs or Social celebrities, usually banking upon the names of a famous person
How to protect yourself: Try pinging them from an another ID of theirs (say if scammer pinged you from Telegram, drop them a message over their facebook ID) and ask them to check that message. This would work as a Two-Factor-Authentication for that personality.

Type 5: Malicious code Trojans - Like Wordpress or Chrome plugins, that would use your machine to mine for crypto currencies, using your machine for the same
How to protect yourself: Try not to do plugins or replace them with cloud powered services, OR, Install only trusted plugins, with loads of reviews maybe. I wont be surprised if these trojans take shape of free downloadable games or cracked softwares downloadable for desktop or your mobile.

Type 6: Online Seed Generators (contributed by: tosindesign)
For some wallets (eg the IOTA Wallet) you have to set your own seed. In the case of IOTA, this is an 81-digit password that must consist of uppercase letters and at least one 9. Since some did not want to generate a password themselves, they resorted to online seed generators. These generate you by mouse click an 81-digit seed. However, as it turns out later, a few of these seed generators also stored the generated passwords, The stored seeds were then later used to steal the assets of the investors concerned. You have to know that the seed is something like the master key that allows all credits to be transferred. A thief does not even have to have access to your computer on which the wallet is installed. The seed is enough to access your balance on another computer.

How can you protect yourself?
Never use an online seed generator! When generating an 81-digit seed, all you have to do is push 81 random keys on your keyboard.

Type 7: Phishing website attempts (contributed by: tosindesign)
Scammers would copy exact replica of the websites (wallets, exchanges) and try to get you to login, thereby recording you password. For example, the page Blockchain.info was copied to get the logins. You have to know that Blockchain.info also offers a wallet service where Wallet could save your bitcoins. If Google users searched for “Blockchain info” in some countries, they ran a Google ad that led to Blockchaina.info, a cheat site that has nothing to do with Blockchain.info. The site was a 1: 1 copy of Blockchain.info and was only designed to get login information from users. There are also similar attempts to MyEtherwallet.com and other sites.

How can you protect yourself?
Never click anywhere on a link to a page where you want to log in. The best way is to bookmark the pages and just go over the web pages. In addition, you should always look for the SSL encryption. There will not be a page that stores important data from you and is located at http: //. All pages should now be encrypted SSL and have a https: // domain (although the pages can also be accessed at http: // they will redirect to https: //). The SSL certificates will also show you every browser, for example by a small lock symbol.


Type 9: Used Ledger Nano (contributed by: tosindesign)
At ebay and in other marketplaces there are always offers to buy the Ledger Nano a bit cheaper. This is particularly interesting now, where the Ledger Nano S is sold out and will be available again in one month. There have been cases in the past when users bought a used ledger on ebay and the seed from the ledger was already filled out. Anyone who has not owned a ledger to date will hardly register the difference. Of course, the previous owners have also noted the seed in these cases, which then allows them to get access to the crypto currencies that the new owner stores on the Ledger Nano S.  

How can you protect yourself?
If you want to use a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano S, buy it directly from the manufacturer and make sure that it is still original packed. The enclosed note on which you can write down the seed should never be filled.

Type 10: Airdrops that ask for personal information (contributed by: StarKay)
There are hyped up airdrops that may ask for KYC information, that may end up being used by scammers / hackers.

How to protect yourself:
Think of your personal information as an investment as well. Research who you are giving your information to and why that ICO will need it

Type 11: Identity theft via Social Media - (contributed by: darkangel11)
You have to realize what they want from you. In the end it's always your money, while in the process they may want some personal data, a phone number, whatever they can get into.

How to protect yourself: Never willingly give anything. Don't share your real social media accounts with random people, keep your email addresses to yourself and if you have to use them make sure to have burner emails. What are burners? Not necessarily emails created for every forum and project. Just emails that don't contain your personal data and that you're not using for online shopping, banking and so on.

Please add more below, or share your story.

To protect your self from the bad people or scammers don't let anyone know that you have bitcoin because if there is someone who don't have bitcoin and have a negative idea about bitcoin maybe he or she will take your bitcoin. Maybe he will manipulate you by saying anything about bitcoin, he will convinced you to trust him and say to him your password in your bitcoin wallet or digital wallet. Scammers and hackers are just the same, because they do bad things against to you.

[Frederickkk]

The only way to protect yourself with scammers is to be conscious  all the time.Hold  and hold and hold till when price is good then sell off.

[Baronggot]

You have to trust noone, and that's basically i am doing most especially that scammers are just around trying to victimize others. Once you noticed a very suspicious events around, then you gotta think twice. Investing ICO, for instance, you need to have a deep investigation first whether or not the team behind it is 100% legit.