For my own safety, I quit

[Outhue]

I have been in fear for two days straight after I heard that few numbers of people are kidnapped and I happen to know one of the victim, they are asked to pay ransom in Bitcoin, I don't know maybe I should call this stupid or not but I am lost in my thoughts....

As a developing country that I am from, my people don't even have their ways of tracking criminals on the Blockchain, even in other countries that are well developed than mine, wrench attacks still happened and none of them attackers got caught.

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

[hmbdofficial]

I have been in fear for two days straight after I heard that few numbers of people are kidnapped and I happen to know one of the victim, they are asked to pay ransom in Bitcoin, I don't know maybe I should call this stupid or not but I am lost in my thoughts....

As a developing country that I am from, my people don't even have their ways of tracking criminals on the Blockchain, even in other countries that are well developed than mine, wrench attacks still happened and none of them attackers got caught.

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

I think your case has to do with your own society safety, security and not the bitcoin as a matter of fact if your society isn’t safe and you consider bringing down the bitcoin payment billboard you probably haven’t done anything to help your self. Because I’m sorry to say you could still be kidnapped and be asked to pay ransom with fiat currencies which will not be your potion by the Grace of God.
Be safe out there and protect your self at all cost. If I was in your shoes I’ll not bring down the bill board but rather improve my security in tackling human abduction.

[lionheart78]

It is actually best to stay on the side of safety so I see your reason and support you on what you did. But have you ever thought about the culprit asking to get paid in Bitcoin because they think it is untraceable and is not related to whether your store has an option to let customers pay in Bitcoin?

Sometimes it hurts to be paranoid, it often leads to stress, frustration, and in the end, depression.  As long as you do not flex your wealth, I do not think people will come at you with ill intentions.  Most of the members here advise people who are engaged in Bitcoin to be low-profile. 

[sleepfirefly]

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

we all want to keep supporting bitcoin because it will also benefit us but in times like this it’s most important to put our safety first. i would only recommend using bitcoin for payment if the situation is safe in the first place

[OsaiEmma]

If let's say, the criminals demanded cash, will you also quit using cash, and only accept transfers or cards, a lot of people use tools in different ways, a kitchen knife can also be a weapon, quiting because people are taking advantage of Bitcoin to do evil doesn't make sense, you know what they say, evil prevail cause good men do nothing, so spread the good news about Bitcoin and keep a positive mind, it ain't Bitcoin that is bad but those who use it.

But still, if the usage of Bitcoin threatens your peace, then of course u should be careful.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

If your country is having serious security issues, just like mine, then that's the best option. I must note that the criminals in your country are technologically advanced too which is more dangerous unlike in my country where they demand for Fiat. The environment is tensed and a public display may attract more attention to you.

I would advise you bring it down for the time being, maybe print a smaller card and place it inside your shop so that only your clients are aware and can make payments with it, that way you maintain some little privacy with your business Bitcoin acceptance. Your security should be your greatest concern at this point.

[crwth]

In terms of safety, it's the right decision to ensure it won't pose a danger to you.

There are a lot of things that happen when that crime is committed, and, upon reading previous news about something like this, it's mostly analyzed using chain analysis, which makes it easy to trace where the money went and landed. So I don't think the criminals understand it, but they can get caught compared to stealing cash, since you can analyze the blockchain.

Maybe, if somebody asks you about it, tell them you don't own anything and say you swap it to fiat once received.

[bitbollo]

We are all aware about this issue and of course no one will take this not seriously. However it better to be rationale. Even if you have this sign what changes really?
Fast cars, expensives homes, lavish lifestyle. Excluding few specific cases, people get harrassed or receive offenses only because they "appear" rich.
Bitcoin only would not be the reason. Unless there are clearly details that allow to track your coins, identify how they can grab it and so on...

[m2017]

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

Add the following text to the inscription: "bitcoin is not anonymous and all transactions are tracked".

As a developing country that I am from, my people don't even have their ways of tracking criminals on the Blockchain, even in other countries that are well developed than mine, wrench attacks still happened and none of them attackers got caught.

There's no way to track cash in any country (unless the numbers are recorded and the banknotes are marked).

It seems like there's some kind of hysteria brewing around bitcoin, that criminals are now using bitcoin to kidnap people and extort money. Are there more rumors about bitcoin being used for criminal purposes?

I have been in fear for two days straight after I heard that few numbers of people are kidnapped and I happen to know one of the victim, they are asked to pay ransom in Bitcoin, I don't know maybe I should call this stupid or not but I am lost in my thoughts....

Wouldn't you be scared if, instead of a bitcoin demanded a ransom in cash? I think anyone with even a little money should be scared, and the currency they demand the ransom in is secondary.

[Mpamaegbu]

I have been in fear for two days straight after I heard that few numbers of people are kidnapped and I happen to know one of the victim...

My advice is that you shouldn't work yourself up unnecessarily. Except you knew that kidnapped victim on a personal level (as in, someone close to you) or they're someone in your neighbourhood, you shouldn't overthink it. If they're, then you should be more careful about your movement. Be vigilant.

As a developing country that I am from, my people don't even have their ways of tracking criminals on the Blockchain, even in other countries that are well developed than mine, wrench attacks still happened and none of them attackers got caught.

This is one of the reasons I want regulation in this industry. It will help take careful of most of these things, I believe. Your nationality sounds more like mine too, where there's no effective way of apprehending crypto criminals.

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety.

Yeah, while bringing your signboard down will lessen spread of information; I think a lot of people around you know you're into Bitcoin and can still use it against you. If those criminals are specifically targeting crypto hodlers or merchants you can still be a target.

What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

Remove that signboard to reduce your exposure. You can tell anyone asking you why you removed it that you no longer transact in Bitcoin. Wait and watch how things go from there.

[aoluain]

If the OP is a business owner it sounds like in his country he will be at risk regardless of the
Bitcoin factor. But if it gives the OP peace of mind and gives him the impression that the risk
is greatly reduced he should remove the sign in question.

There is no point having that sign outside if you think it is going to draw negative attention,
life is too short to make risks with life IMO.

[nemesis_incarnate]

Yeah, if you want to minimize the risks - you can bring the sign down.

I didn't quite understand though - is the business yours or just a worker?

[goldphysicalbitcoin]

The original poster's concerns are not unfounded. In some developing and underdeveloped regions, judicial institutions are unable to effectively combat hostage-taking and Bitcoin extortion. Publicly displaying one's Bitcoin holdings is dangerous. I agree with the original poster's point that in high-crime areas, people can protect themselves by concealing their connection to Bitcoin.

[Hypnotizer]

What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

Same, but do you usually have much customers transacting in bitcoin?
 Basically the signboard isn’t much of a big deal for people to be informed you accept bitcoin but did you notice a positive return and higher number of customers since when you displayed that signpost of accepting bitcoin?

Safety is paramount especially in a country that doesn’t have advanced forensic technology to detect the wrench attackers, so let’s go with the saying ‘Prevention is better than cure’.

[knowngunman]

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

This automatically portray you as someone who possess Bitcoin and you might be the next target. You have a valid reason to get rid of that signboard at least for now and display normal payment system accepted. The more we try to make things easier, the more risky it becomes. We clamour for Bitcoin wide acceptability, you attempt to play your own part but unfortunately, it is about to make you vulnerable. The kidnappers are smart, they know it's hard to track blockchain transactions and people might not likely give it a try unless government interfere which is unlikely. Some kidnappers have been tracked through bank transfer or cash using tracker and it seems they have learn another way strategy now using Bitcoin.

[sheenshane]

As a developing country that I am from, my people don't even have their ways of tracking criminals on the Blockchain, even in other countries that are well developed than mine, wrench attacks still happened and none of them attackers got caught.

I don't think so, maybe this was your thought, but the fact is, most countries now have cyber authorities combating digital crimes, and I think one of their experts is to study blockchain.  Maybe cyber crimes still exist, but they will be exposed once cyber authorities investigate.

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

Why are you afraid?
It means stores or departments stop accepting fiat because it might come from thieves or criminals, or, let's say, dirty money.
If you receive Bitcoin that comes from a criminal's wallet, that's the time it's easy for them to track it down, since you have physical contact with the sender.  Don't forget to put a CCTV camera in your store.
IMO, I would not be afraid as long as I'm doing right, especially if you're in a business where you might encounter different kinds of transactions daily.

[_act_]

The reason for my fear is the fact that I have "Bitcoin Payment accepted here" displayed on my business signboard, so I think it is time for me to bring it down for my own safety. What would you have done if you are in my shoe? Any better option you have in mind?

What if you are using a payment processor that is processing the coins that your customers are using to buy something from you to the fiat that you people are spending in your country? But the attackers may not want understand that the have been processed into fiat. It is better to.preevent a situation like this but are people that are exposed to crypto attacked in your country which can be worth considering. But if you think privacy is better and you are no more comfortable with accepting bitcoin as payment, it is better you stop accepting it.

[nemesis_incarnate]

The original poster's concerns are not unfounded. In some developing and underdeveloped regions, judicial institutions are unable to effectively combat hostage-taking and Bitcoin extortion. Publicly displaying one's Bitcoin holdings is dangerous. I agree with the original poster's point that in high-crime areas, people can protect themselves by concealing their connection to Bitcoin.

Even in developed countries, the problems are the same, imo. You are still at risk because of those that cannot live with the thought of somebody having all of that (no matter what) for themselves..

Sure, the measures for security there are better, but they are still not bulletproof.

[michellee]

If that is for your safety and wants avoiding them, you do the right thing. You can stops for temporary accepting Bitcoin in your business and waiting for a safe time, your safety is the important.

Maybe I will doing the same thing as you especially if there is urgent situation happens. I don't want to risk myself still doing that so that will not be a problem if I don't displayed that. I have more time to do that in the next chances.

I don't know how the law works in your country but they need to tracking criminals and caught them.

[Charcol]

I don't take your fears lightly. But we should look at the whole issue with a cool head. Because I think criminals using Bitcoin is one thing. And targeting Bitcoin users is a completely different claim. But it is true that the sign that says Bitcoin Accepted Here makes your business stand out. In developing countries where law and order are weak, it is better not to publicly indicate your financial information or assets. If I were in your place, I would remove the sign and provide payment options online or in person. This will increase security, and I also don't have to stop accepting Bitcoin. You can do it if you want.