For my own safety, I quit

[Smartvirus]

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?

When these things, these crimes are happening within your locality and worst still, to your loved ones or persons close to you, it does hit differently and leads to fear like you’ve noted, as well as taking decisive decisions that might be for the better or worse.

If you feel unsafe about your having to advertise Bitcoin payment for your Business, then by all means, you can get it out of the way. There is no reason to continue while you feel unsafe about it and it’s not about being pro-Bitcoin, it’s about your security.

Mind you, there would be those that might enquire and when they do, you can still do business with them.

[Sandra_hakeem]

When these things, these crimes are happening within your locality and worst still, to your loved ones or persons close to you, it does hit differently and leads to fear like you’ve noted, as well as taking decisive decisions that might be for the better or worse.

If it has gotten to this point in some countries (something I haven't really noticed yet in my locality), it's enough reason to be scared.

In addition, you could install security cameras, and advertise the fact that all visitors are recorded on a remote server.

It doesn't change a thing about their operation imo. In a country where transactions on the block chain can't be traced, of what use is a security camera? Just extra bullet holes if they ever find out what your motives are.Op, get yourself a Glock and get a license for safety.

[tread93]

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 mean honestly it might not be a bad idea for you just to remove the affiliation with your store for the time being if you are seeing this becoming a local threat to yourself and your business. Surely keep your BTC acceptance but keep it casual and on a need to know basis until the bitcoin ransoms settle down perhaps. Just take a few deep breaths and try to relax for a minute and make a decision after you have thought this through a bit, have there been local threats in this sense? Do you see people eying your store you thinik?

[TypoTonic]

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.

I wouldn't call it stupid to be concerned about your own safety. In my country, there has also been a few cases of kidnapping in which the criminals asked for cryptocurrency as ransom, so I understand where you're coming from.

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 also accept Bitcoin payments in my small business, and I have the sign displayed outside as well. If you choose to take it down, maybe you could try to be discreet, and display QR codes during payment instead. Those are pretty common nowadays, and at least your customers would still be aware that you accept Bitcoin, without attracting too much attention.

[Smack That Ace]

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.

I wouldn't call it stupid to be concerned about your own safety. In my country, there has also been a few cases of kidnapping in which the criminals asked for cryptocurrency as ransom, so I understand where you're coming from.

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 also accept Bitcoin payments in my small business, and I have the sign displayed outside as well. If you choose to take it down, maybe you could try to be discreet, and display QR codes during payment instead. Those are pretty common nowadays, and at least your customers would still be aware that you accept Bitcoin, without attracting too much attention.

Im not saying that worrying about your own safety is stupid. But I want to ask, what if you were kidnapped and they demanded a ransom in fiat or gold? Did you stop using fiat currency after that?

What I mean is, bitcoin is just a currency and a method of payment that criminals choose to use. If someone is kidnapped, it has nothing to do with bitcoin but rather with their assets. Therefore, what you and the OP need to do is keep yourselves safe by limiting ostentatious displays of wealth and protecting personal information.

[Zigabel]

If Bitcoin is not a legal tender and not too many people know about that form of payment in your place, then I will advice it is needless of been there on your bill board so as to take off unnecessary attention from you, but if someone walks in and request for payment in that format, it can be granted them, it doesn’t have to be advertised, this is just for your safety. But if there are security measures around the vicinity that you are sure can provide you with protection if the need be, then you can go ahead with it, but even at that, to be even safer, it's best you take it down and make it in house such that if requested then you make it known that you do.

[Somegory]

There are some idiots who really believe that once you are into crypto you are a rich person, they don't know that hassle and struggles that comes with investing in crypto, there is a high number of investors who are not rich, because of crypto Volatility it becomes almost impossible for many people to make it.

Some people think they got it at first only to lose it later when the unexpected happened to the market, to me they are misinformed about what crypto is all about that's why they believe that been into crypto means you are rich.

[Leon_jesus]

Theres are bad people out there, if someone wants to protect their life, ill help them get a brand new Gun, our lawfirm can help you with a gun carrying license , indeed its better to act in self defense and be ready for any smartass thief or kidnapper
Most firearm owners are completely unaware that a self-defense incident could end in prosecution, potentially jeopardizing their family, finances, and liberty. If you are forced to defend yourself, you will likely be arrested, have your firearm confiscated, and be required to adhere to the judicial process. You need a protection plan and an experienced attorney to walk with you through a very serious situation.

We pay your attorney fees directly for both criminal and civil actions. Unlike most legal protection plans, we are not an attorney reimbursement system. 2) We take the time to research and provide you with a local attorney who is experienced in self-defense cases, Criminal Law, and/or has experience handling firearms-related incidences where self-defense occurs. 3) We provide the most comprehensive protection

[TypoTonic]

-snip-

Im not saying that worrying about your own safety is stupid. But I want to ask, what if you were kidnapped and they demanded a ransom in fiat or gold? Did you stop using fiat currency after that?

What I mean is, bitcoin is just a currency and a method of payment that criminals choose to use. If someone is kidnapped, it has nothing to do with bitcoin but rather with their assets. Therefore, what you and the OP need to do is keep yourselves safe by limiting ostentatious displays of wealth and protecting personal information.

OP is concerned that he might be a target because he is a known crypto holder, and that people might perceive him to be rich, especially since he lives on a developing country. Even someone he knows became a victim, so his concern is completely valid. Criminals will take everything they can, so it doesn't really matter whether it's Bitcoin or fiat. If such attacks are becoming more common in his place, then it makes sense to keep a low profile.

[PX-Z]

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?

For a place and area where security is very unsure, yes, that's a recommended one, it's better preventive measure and for your own safety as well. I will do it too if it's my business that's for sure.
Now, since you already made a signage before better to have security cameras on the establishment, outside and inside just to be sure. But that doesn't mean i will stop using bitcoin m, hell nah.

[Publictalk792]

There is absolutely nothing strange about fact that you are scared now because it makes danger of being kidnapped feel extremely real knowing someone who became victim of kidnapping personally. Your instinct of taking down Bitcoin Payment Accepted Here sign is smart and sensible way of lowering your risk, since you should not have sign because having sign on your business will unfortunately show to criminals that you have easily movable digital wealth. Although blockchain tracking has been improved for global agencies, most of local police departments in developing countries still do not have access to technical tools to close gap between unknown wallet address and real criminal and thus getting it back is extremely hard. Having quiet way to your security would mean that, internally, you still may accept Bitcoin through trusted long term customers without having to show it to all people walking on street. By removing sign and looking into better security such as Multi-Sig wallet you are physically unable to be forced to make one on one move under threat in order to protect your life and family, other than marketing sticker.

[DanWalker]

crypto currency isn't actually the cost this perpetrators are just looking for a way to cover up there identity so that they can't be traced and be punished by law . So all of this is to avoid the law from catching up with them. They see that crypto currency is the best way there victims can pay without them being known.

I share the same view. I believe that cryptocurrency is unrelated to and not the cause of these kidnappings. These criminals simply use cryptocurrency instead of traditional payment methods because they believe that this way their identities will be better concealed and they will be harder to track down. Their goal was to conceal their identities, not to target crypto investors.

If we knew that we could use bitcoin and crypto to avoid the scrutiny of banks and governments. It's not surprising that criminal also use crypto to avoid revealing their identities and make it more difficult to track them down.

[Jaksonhard]

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....

Hearing about things like this can send chills through you and if you personally know someone involved then it will feel even worse for you. After hearing things like this it is normal for you to be in shock and to feel shaken and to feel like you do not know what to do. This type of situation is another reminder of just how unpredictable life can be. I truly hope the authorities are able to deal with this matter quickly and that the victim is able to get home safely.

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.

In most developing countries, the capacity to detect blockchain crime is either lacking or underdeveloped both in terms of tools and skill sets. However, even in more developed countries, there are several instances of wrench attacks occurring and criminals successfully evading capture. This indicates that technology is insufficient by itself and that security awareness and law enforcement must also be brought into the equation.

[Alonso_]

I think what you’re talking about has to do with safety of yourself and your business, but I don’t think closing your business is actually a good idea, because of some criminals wanting to adopt bitcoin payments, well I must say that you have to safeguard yourself first, and when making bitcoin payments you should ask some questions and also ask for identification so you can actually know who you’re sending bitcoin to because you have to be very very smart when dealing things with people from uncivilized countries, Humans will always find a way of making things difficult for people, something that is meant for development and helping people is used for criminal activities, that is the World that we find ourselves.

[laspol65]

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?

If Bitcoin is legal in your country then you should not panic, if Bitcoin is illegal in your country then you can remove this advertisement accepting Bitcoin payments from the signboard. Because you will have more Bitcoin deposited in the business establishment, it is normal that others may think so, so to keep yourself safe you can accept Bitcoin transactions quietly as an alternative. And otherwise you can stop yourself for some time and when the environment is safe you can continue accepting Bitcoin again, but for safety you should remove this advertisement accepting Bitcoin payments in the current position.

[melinoe]

I think what you’re talking about has to do with safety of yourself and your business, but I don’t think closing your business is actually a good idea, because of some criminals wanting to adopt bitcoin payments, well I must say that you have to safeguard yourself first, and when making bitcoin payments you should ask some questions and also ask for identification so you can actually know who you’re sending bitcoin to because you have to be very very smart when dealing things with people from uncivilized countries, Humans will always find a way of making things difficult for people, something that is meant for development and helping people is used for criminal activities, that is the World that we find ourselves.

OP would still do BTC option for his bis, as far as I understood it, just without going openly about it, with those that can be trusted.

[Rikafip]

I think what you’re talking about has to do with safety of yourself and your business, but I don’t think closing your business is actually a good idea

You might have musinderstood OP as he is not considering closing his business entirely, but just remove "bitcoin payment accepted here" sign that he has in his business.

What would you have done if you are in my shoe?

Safety of you and your family should be priority, so I were in your shoes, I would probably do the same thing.

I wonder, does bitcoin payments make a large part of your transactions and how much will that affect your business?

[purple_sparkles]

I think scammers usually scout the situation before committing a crime. The fact that there is a sign somewhere saying that you accept bitcoin payments does not mean that you have a lot of it in your account.If your behavior shows luxury and great wealth, that is more likely to attract attention than a sign about Bitcoin payments. Also, if visitors start asking questions about profits or bitcoin transactions, it’s better to choose your words carefully.However, if you feel safer without a sign about accepting Bitcoin, then it’s better to remove it. Our peace of mind is worth more than any profit.

[melinoe]

I think what you’re talking about has to do with safety of yourself and your business, but I don’t think closing your business is actually a good idea

You might have musinderstood OP as he is not considering closing his business entirely, but just remove "bitcoin payment accepted here" sign that he has in his business.

Yep. It's the end of the open "usage" of BTC via the exposition of such a possibility.. But the BTC would still be open for those that are trusted by OP.

[sokani]

If Bitcoin is legal in your country then you should not panic, if Bitcoin is illegal in your country then you can remove this advertisement accepting Bitcoin payments from the signboard. Because you will have more Bitcoin deposited in the business establishment, it is normal that others may think so, so to keep yourself safe you can accept Bitcoin transactions quietly as an alternative. And otherwise you can stop yourself for some time and when the environment is safe you can continue accepting Bitcoin again, but for safety you should remove this advertisement accepting Bitcoin payments in the current position.

I don't know if crypto is legal or not in OP's country, but he isn't worried about the authorities clamping down on him for accepting Bitcoin. That's not what the topic is about. Rather, OP is worried that by accepting Bitcoin in his business, he might be a potential target for robbery or kidnapping due to the increasing numbers of wrench attacks on his country.