How to stay safe from scam cryptocurrency app.

[Issa56]

I anticipate that as bitcoin becomes more popular, more altcoins will emerge, which will lead to an increase in the number of scam cryptocurrency apps available on Google  Play store. People will start creating apps using a project's name for the app, even if the project is legitimate but they don't have an app yet, therefore the app is a scam which is uploaded on Play Store with the intent of defrauding people.
If you're installing a cryptocurrency app on Google Play, I believe you should follow some basic precautions to avoid downloading a scam app, which include.
1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.
2. If you're going to download a cryptocurrency app, make sure you get the link from the company's official website.
3. Never give out sensitive information, such as your wallet private key or password, on any website or application.
4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.
5. Always take your time and ask on their official Telegram if the app on playstore is the real one or always ask for the link to their app on Telegram before installing it on playstore.
Thank you, I hope this will be of great assistance since, given the rate at which scammers are proliferating in the cryptocurrency world, I believe we must exercise extreme caution in order to avoid losing money to them.

[1715231141]

1715231141

[Charles-Tim]

To easily know reputed apps on playstore, many people would have downloaded the app, like 500 thousand to 1 million people would have downloaded such app, this makes it authentic, there will be some that have 1000 downloads, these are the fake ones. But, still, I will not advice anyone to make use of playstore for download, that is why I like your number 2 content.

From OP
2. If you're going to download a cryptocurrency app, make sure you get the link from the company's official website.

1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.

If an app is not approved, it won't be on playstore, there a many scam approved apps, some will later be reported before it will be removed. Thanks to Bitcointalk, because there are many we have reported, especially fake Electrum app that was later removed.

3. Never give out sensitive information, such as your wallet private key or password, on any website or application.

Yes, including seed phrase which is the most commonly demanded for by scammers.

4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.

Do not totally trust reviews, it can help but there are many companies paying people for good review. Just trust forum like Bitcointalk. If you are not sure about an app, just bring it up here for people to review it for you, especially crypto wallets.

[SFR10]

2. If you're going to download a cryptocurrency app, make sure you get the link from the company's official website.

But if the project itself is a scam, then that still doesn't make a difference in regards to its safety.

4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.

I wouldn't rely on something that can easily be faked ^{[unfortunately]}.
Trust no one > DYOR > Verify

[cheezcarls]

I anticipate that as bitcoin becomes more popular, more altcoins will emerge, which will lead to an increase in the number of scam cryptocurrency apps available on Google Play. If you're installing a cryptocurrency app on Google Play, I believe you should follow some basic precautions to avoid downloading a scam software, which include.
1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.
2. If you're going to download a cryptocurrency app, make sure you get the link from the company's official website.
3. Never give out sensitive information, such as your wallet private key or password, on any website or application.
4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.
5. Always take your time and ask on their official Telegram if the app on playstore is the real one or always ask for the link to their app on Telegram before installing it on playstore.
Thank you, I hope this will be of great assistance since, given the rate at which scammers are proliferating in the cryptocurrency world, I believe we must exercise extreme caution in order to avoid losing money to them.

It doesn’t matter how many who have downloaded the app or publishing genuine reviews, the most important thing of all is to double or triple check the publisher of the app if it’s legit or not. We could easily know that once it’s coming from their official website or social media channels regarding the app.

[BIT-BENDER]

I anticipate that as bitcoin becomes more popular, more altcoins will emerge, which will lead to an increase in the number of scam cryptocurrency apps available on Google  Play store. People will start creating apps using a project's name for the app, even if the project is legitimate but they don't have an app yet, therefore the app is a scam which is uploaded on Play Store with the intent of defrauding people.
If you're installing a cryptocurrency app on Google Play, I believe you should follow some basic precautions to avoid downloading a scam app, which include.
1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.
2. If you're going to download a cryptocurrency app, make sure you get the link from the company's official website.
3. Never give out sensitive information, such as your wallet private key or password, on any website or application.
4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.
5. Always take your time and ask on their official Telegram if the app on playstore is the real one or always ask for the link to their app on Telegram before installing it on playstore.
Thank you, I hope this will be of great assistance since, given the rate at which scammers are proliferating in the cryptocurrency world, I believe we must exercise extreme caution in order to avoid losing money to them.

I think about precautions (1) App store approved aren't impeccably safe, some App that has scammed or people has filed report of being scammed can be approved, some of the scam rating can be under-estimated or maybe a misconduct from the App store, so if an App gets approved get more knowledge about it.

Precaution (2), I think -Newbies- can follow, but for those in jumbo amount of groups, those who are insensitive about security and their privacy, then they can still be getting scam link from the scam site, for knowledge probe/evaluate the site, are they simulating to be a site that they aren't, be sensitive.

[tranthidung]

The fake applications on App Store are less than on Google Play but you must be careful with both.

If you want to download applications, you must download with links from official websites. The most terrible method is search with Google search, with either App Store or Google Play. Especially Google Play has many fake apps.

• Officially visit websites & download apps, not fake ones.
• Common Scams on Mobile Devices (Binance Academy)

[mk4]

Yea.. there are just so many flaws that I don't even know where to start. Just a quick reminder to refrain from creating sort of "guides" when talking about topics that you might not be heavily knowledgeable at, especially when talking about cryptocurrency security, or internet security in general. Misinformation can actually do a lot more harm than good.

https://cryptosec.info/scams

[Oceat]

If the project is legitimate, their website will post the link straight to their app in Google play or wherever they want you to download it. And always do your own research "thoroughly" so you will determine which is real and fake or is it a scam or not. With more of experience doing this you can somehow identify a scam app by looking at the common thing in other scam apps before.

And always find the reputable wallet that has lots of reviews and to identify a legit reviews is there will be a criticism and not just with the a positive review. Most people would believe that what they read as positive reviews and comment like they actually like it plus giving a full 5 star for rating then you should start to think twice because there are no perfect system/apps.

[joniboini]

1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.

This is quite problematic. It's kind of hit and miss if you rely on this one. Other than fake/malicious app being approved, sometimes legit app failed to get approved due to various reasons. It's not reliable at all. Taking a look at the dev info is probably more reliable instead of doing this.

[Stalker22]

There is no guarantee that these precautions will protect you from scam apps. There have been many fake or malicious apps on the App Store and Google Playstore already, so I would not rely on their algorithms for detecting scam applications. The best thing you can do is to do your own research and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

[Bitcoin_Arena]

If you're installing a cryptocurrency app on Google Play, I believe you should follow some basic precautions to avoid downloading a scam app, which include.
1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.

Just because it's in app store or google play doesn't mean you should automatically trust the app

4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.

Reviews on Google play are easy to fake, but if you keep a keen eye on them, you can easily see the fake ones and the genuine ones

i.   So many reviews mean the app is being used by so many real users, fewer reviews could mean fake reviews.
ii.  Only positive reviews throughout is a red flag, someone is trying to make their app look good to use.
iii. Burst reviews(so many reviews at only a certain period of time) can also mean fake reviews

[Smartvirus]

1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.

4. Always read people's review about the App on playstore first before downloading it.

It was nice of you yo have come up with a thread such as this one but, I just need to point out certain things that aren't so sure a fact or stands out on staying secured. Though, they might work in most occasions but, it wouldn't be very safe to bank on that for your safety.

First, App stores don't get some sort of approval or non that I know of. The apps might get approvals but App stores don't. Downloading an app from the official apps website is always a safe means to getting the right app and you sure got that right.

Again, banking on the reviews. Well, it works  in most cases but, you can't be entirely sure as, a lot of things could be bought with regards to insights, users and fans of an account or platform. I won't be surprised should reviews be bought on an app too.

[batang_bitcoin]

Number 2 is all you need to avoid being scammed by those fake apps that are copying legitimate cryptocurrency apps and services. I mean, if the company is legitimate and not an actual scam, you only have to check their website, the official one to verify if they have published their own app.
It's different from an actual scam company that has made another app for themselves which doesn't change the fact that they really are scam.

[sheenshane]

1. Only install apps from the App Store that have been approved.

No, I totally disagree with this.
If the app is on Google play store or an App store it doesn't mean this is a legit/authentic app, Google will remove the fraudulent app before there some more people reporting it, which means fraudulent can be still published without knowing by Google play store and even legit one will hardly to approve depend on the various reason.

The best thing that you can do to avoid when especially downloading Bitcoin wallet app or other crypto is always heads up on the official website.  And if you are downloading it from the play store and here is your most thing to do.  

• Check who is the Publisher
• Check the app published date
• Check the user's review
• Check the correct spelling, is a must

DYOR will always save you from fraudulent activities.

[Peanutswar]

Well, I just recommend downloading their application or apk to their official website because still there is a platform that is the face on the different application stores.
Always try to figure out the authenticity like checking the developer and date of release if its match the platforms original information.
Sometimes peoples review might help you to figure out but sometimes those are just dummy or spam reviews which is not reliable.

[qwertyup23]

I remember someone posted that a cryptocurrency app wallet was infected with a virus even if it was prior approved by the playstore and/or appstore.

Regardless, before downloading any cryptocurrency app wallet, always make sure to do your research. You can also ask members here in the forum for their personal recommendation of what wallet/s to use in case you have any doubts. In addition, there are lots of dedicated forum members who report any scam apps present in the scam accusation board. You can utilize the search bar function to see if such app was reported by someone here in the forum.

Nevertheless, I appreciate your effort in compiling a guide so that newbies can see it.

[Bitbtc8]

Don't download through links given to through a friend or other channels, if you need the app badly find their official website and let the website direct you to their real app, I've quit using Google Play store on my phone for downloading app

[Lucius]

The surest way not to fall victim to some scam app is not to be obsessed with having as many of them on your smartphone as possible. Aside from some reputable crypto wallet and maybe some app that will track the prices of the cryptocurrencies you own, what more do you need? Also, keep in mind that too many apps (even if they are legitimate) will slow down your device considerably, and will drain your battery faster.

The OP mentioned Telegram as a kind of source of verification for apps, but that is undoubtedly a bad idea considering that this app is in itself a paradise for scammers.

[tranthidung]

The OP mentioned Telegram as a kind of source of verification for apps, but that is undoubtedly a bad idea considering that this app is in itself a paradise for scammers.

Let me share some good topics about scammers, impersonators on Telegram and tips to detect them.

• Telegram Scams (Fake admin/ moderator). Be careful with Telegram username and text in Bio section. Impersonators will copy username of real admin and paste it into Bio section.
• Do this if you don't want to be dragged to different telegram ICOs
• Some Telegram tips for newcomers in the crypto community

[Lucius]

~snip~

There are never too many warnings when it comes to social networks, because as much as they have brought good, they have brought much more bad for all those who do not realize that there are a lot of people with dangerous intentions on them. The golden rule should be "If you don't understand something, don't use it at all", but all this technology that surrounds us seems to make people less intelligent and use their brains less and less.

Scammers are all around us, be smart and don't let yourself become a victim - they can't do anything to you if you don't let them.