Just lost $4000 because of addresses starting with "bc1p"

[kryptqnick]

I am so sorry for your loss, it's a significant amount of money... Like Charles-Tim, I usually don't fully check the address but I check the first 3-4 characters and the last 3-4 characters to ensure I got the right one. I remember there used to be malware that targeted copy-paste and pasted the wrong address, sometimes even making it an approximation of the original in terms of the first few characters, which is why I always do the basic checking. I still don't fully understand how the op lost the money (was is copy-paste malware or copying a wrong address in the first place because the first few symbols were identical?), and I'm not sure if anything can be done to get the money back (probably not, unless you know to whom that address belongs and can reach out in any way).
As for what was wrong with old addresses, I believe Segwit was at least partially aiming to reduce transaction fees, and given how the fees have been for the last few years, I think it worked.

[1714230232]

1714230232

[1714230232]

1714230232

[1714230232]

1714230232

[1714230232]

1714230232

[bittraffic]

I am so sorry for your loss, it's a significant amount of money... Like Charles-Tim, I usually don't fully check the address but I check the first 3-4 characters and the last 3-4 characters to ensure I got the right one. I remember there used to be malware that targeted copy-paste and pasted the wrong address, sometimes even making it an approximation of the original in terms of the first few characters, which is why I always do the basic checking. I still don't fully understand how the op lost the money (was is copy-paste malware or copying a wrong address in the first place because the first few symbols were identical?), and I'm not sure if anything can be done to get the money back (probably not, unless you know to whom that address belongs and can reach out in any way).
As for what was wrong with old addresses, I believe Segwit was at least partially aiming to reduce transaction fees, and given how the fees have been for the last few years, I think it worked.

Me too I didn't get how mistakenly sent to a wrong address. But I'm guessing he copied a lot of addresses, probably he is sending to many addresses at that time and just paste one that he thought was the right after seeing the first 4 letters.

Sorry for your loss OP. Because of the existence of Segwit and taproot's first 4 letters almost the same, the suggestion to check the last 4 as well will be good to make sure.

Would the Aliases that were suggested before can be truly useful?

[so98nn]

Damn that’s hurtful. I’m also one of the guy who only checks first few and last 4-5 characters of the address. After reading this post I’m going to be very careful next time I send the coins. This is definitely costly lesson for you dude and excellent example for everyone who is reading this.

I think one more way to save our losses is to have tags or labels on the addresses. I use mycelium, you can always name every address which can help identify it next time more easily and safely.

If it’s entirely new recipient then better triple check the whole address and then label it. That’s a good lesson.

[Bitstar_coin]

That must really suck, you should have checked both the first 4 and the last 4 to be extremely sure before sending, mostly this native segwit address can be confusing. This is an eye opener for those people who do not take checking the address before sending it very seriously.
OP I hope you get compensated in some other ways.

[OgNasty]

I never once sent to wrong address before now.. I haven't been doing too much with crypto the past year or so.. but DAMN I can't believe someone thought this was a good idea. :/

Bad things don't happen until they do...  I am sorry that this happened to you.  It sucks to lose money.  I think most of us have been there though.  Bitcoin is a learning experience and hopefully you've learned a lesson that will end up saving you more than $4,000 down the line.  My advice would be to use this as a learning experience and continue looking into what else you may not know about Bitcoin so that you can have more knowledge that will someday pay dividends to you.  I also wish you good luck in locating the receiver and maybe recovering the funds somehow.

[Obari]

I relatively don't pay any singles attention to the wallet address because I focus almost all my attention to the safety of my own coin rather than bother over the first and last digits and alphabets of another address.
I've seen several different addresses with same starting figures and rather than focus on this, I rather focus on educating people at every instance I get the importance of using a decentralized wallet and how t store the key phrase safely as not your key not your coins.

So I will suggest that rather than focusing your energy on the address, you should rather channel suggest energy to making sure your wallet is safe and secure.

[Hispo]

-snip-

Those were way simpler times, so much nostalgia, when the 3D was a novelty.
By the way it is funny how you took your time and explain carefully this example using video games from over a decade ago, using images and all.
I have got the impression that you are a video game enthusiast even to this day. 

[Artemis3]

So, the point of this thread was to insult one of the moderators of this forum? Bech32 is a great improvement but this reminds me of the people blaming Bitcoin from a mistake THEY make. Transactions are final, there are no reversals and that's how we like it. That's why you just don't make transactions without triple checking the address.

[Vickysagar]

Yeah, I still check every transaction because I'm scared to lose my money. Sorry for your loss, I imagine things like that every time I send Bitcoin.

[DaveF]

As I pointed out just the other day while discussing something else, creating an address with just the 1st few characters the same is trivial. As they jet longer it dos become more difficult but for just a few it's just about 0 time to do it so in general just checking bc1p is pointless anyway.

The issue with addresses that start with 3 is that other coins have used it for their P2SH and that caused its own issues.

bc1p has been in use for years, if you have regularly been using BTC you have seen it before.
If you are new to crypto, checking more of the address should be just something that is taught / mentioned.

-Dave

[Lucius]

I would never blame the tool, but the one who uses it without being familiar with all its features. Therefore, to say that someone is a moron for allowing us to pay less transaction fees is nothing more than ignorance and disrespect for all the developers working to improve Bitcoin.

It has never happened to me that I send BTC to the wrong address, but that is because every time before the transaction I check everything at least three times, and for larger amounts this means that I check every character in the address, no matter how paranoid it may seem to someone. An expensive mistake, but I hope a lesson well learned and a warning for everyone who will read this topic.

[NotATether]

Like who the hell actually thought that was a good idea? Cmon I'm not the only one who would do this.

I can understand your frustration, but this is why I do a quick eye-scan of all the characters from left-to-right in an address (which lasts for a few seconds max) at least once to make sure it matches what's in the browser or app before I sign any transaction. You should get into a habit of checking addresses as well that as well.

Bitcoin addresses were not designed to eyeball the first few characters only. It also happened occasionally with vanity addresses starting with 1.

[EarnOnVictor]

It hurts if this is true, you need to be careful and more sensitive next time.

I guess many who replied did not understand what the OP is trying to express here due to the poor way of construction. However, based on my understanding of what is being conveyed, the OP never sent any money but was actually expecting payment through his BTC address, and mistakenly copied a wrong BTC address which eventually got the paying party angry or suspicious thereby terminating the payment.

Who is to blame here? The OP and the paying party of course! OP in the sense that he/she shouldn't have made mistake with the address. And the paying party in the sense that they should have been emphatic about the strictness of the BTC address needed, and told him/her to change the address to the preferred one.

Whoever decided this was a good idea is a MORON. (and me too now but damn)

Not at all, such people are even genius because each of the addresses has its benefits.

I usually do both, the first few and last few but I mainly always went by the first few digits to make sure I didn't accidently copy/paste wrong address.

Which makes it your fault. With different BTC addresses for different purposes, I always used the BTC address that is from a centralized exchange for any financial transaction that deals with companies or parties that demand my trust. Sorry, you learned the hard way, you have to be careful while copying and pasting addresses next time.

[kamvreto]

I can understand your frustration, but this is why I do a quick eye-scan of all the characters from left-to-right in an address (which lasts for a few seconds max) at least once to make sure it matches what's in the browser or app before I sign any transaction. You should get into a habit of checking addresses as well that as well.

Bitcoin addresses were not designed to eyeball the first few characters only. It also happened occasionally with vanity addresses starting with 1.

the outdated trick, but works fine. I also apply this habit before making any transaction with any nominal. Because some of my friends experienced the same incident as Op. Wrote a few letters and was also attacked by copy-paste malware which changed to the scammer's address. It is very frustrating when the address that was thought to be correct turns out to be several wrongs, in the end the assets are lost and cannot be returned. Double-checking would be a good alternative.

[Xxmodded]

I am sorry with your loss dude, seems all Bitcoin address beginning with "bc1p" are BTC with segwit and available on all exchange market right now, for next time be careful and check detail again with your Bitcoin address destination have correct or not. Usually saved with all address used for withdrawing not only Bitcoin but also several altcoin.

You can saved all wallet withdrawing destination how keep securing and less mistake when sending your fund, usually in  Binance you can saved with your address withdrawal and don't need to copy again for less mistake or wrong address make, cryptocurrency not refund our assets when wrong address withdrawing but other currency digital like PayPal possibility to refund if wrong email for sending.

You can scan with QR code for sending or withdrawing assets to other wallet, but you have access trough mobile phone with exchange account or cold wallet.

[Antonas1]

I don't understand how you can send Bitcoins to the wrong address (if that's the case). Because you didn't explain it in detail.
I myself always double-check the whole address when I make a transaction, even if I just copy and paste the address or do a scan. It didn't take long to re-check everything.

[m2017]

So.. how did you lose your money exactly? You sent the funds to the wrong address because of the first 4 characters?

If so, sorry for your loss — but maybe you need to be more careful when sending that high of an amount. Always remember that taking extra 5-10 seconds doublechecking the address wouldn't hurt.

Exactly. Need to check all the characters of the address completely, or even better, several times. Especially if the amount sent is significant.

I also didn't understand from OP's story what exactly happened to him. But he could write a couple of lines about it and even attach a link to the lost transaction (why hide it if it is already lost). My guesses about what happened are roughly the same as yours.

Crypto currencies are not pampering and you need to be ready to take responsibility for your actions, including material ones.

[Mpamaegbu]

I quite agree that the bc1p wallet address (or any other) may not be perfect as there isn't any conception of man that doesn't have its demerit. However, like what user mk4 asked in post three here which hasn't still been answered. Let me mildly reiterate. OP, we still want to know how you lost that four grand. Not that I doubt your story but it's so that the rest of us will know how to escape a similar situation in future.

[hZti]

I quite agree that the bc1p wallet address (or any other) may not be perfect as there isn't any conception of man that doesn't have its demerit. However, like what user mk4 asked in post three here which hasn't still been answered. Let me mildly reiterate. OP, we still want to know how you lost that four grand. Not that I doubt your story but it's so that the rest of us will know how to escape a similar situation in future.

I would not hope to get that much of an explanation. The OP simply lost his bitcoins because of a mistake that he made. Now he is blaming others, even if the only solution for his mistake would have been to check if he sends to the correct bitcoin adress. You can also blame people for making dollar bills look the same and then say you gave away a 100 USD bill instead of a 10 USD bill.

[The Cryptovator]

I look over the addresses I copied. Starting and ending with a few digits or letters. It is to verify the address, not to determine the type of address. You must choose the type of address where you will deposit or you should be aware of the type of address by looking at the address. If you sent funds to the wrong type of address, you will lose them if you do not have access to the wallet. But I still don't understand how you lost your money.