Common crypto scams, explained

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I think I've been scammed. What do I do now?

Scam guides

• Is my online crypto 'investment' friend a scammer? — A new online friend shows you a crypto app with big profits, then asks for fees to withdraw. Here are the warning signs and what to do.
• Can someone really get my stolen crypto back for a fee? — After a crypto scam, fake 'recovery' experts, lawyers and police often come next. Why paid recovery offers are almost always a second scam.
• Did I lose my crypto by clicking a free airdrop or claim link? — Fake airdrop, mint and 'claim' links trick you into signing a pop-up that lets someone take your tokens. What to look for and what to do.
• Why is there a strange tiny payment in my crypto wallet history? — Scammers plant look-alike addresses in your wallet history so you copy the wrong one. How to spot address poisoning and stay safe.
• Is this crypto support agent real or a scammer? — Fake support agents copy exchanges and wallets to steal recovery words. No real company will ever ask for them. How to spot fake help.
• Is the 'send crypto, get double back' giveaway real? — Fake celebrity and company giveaways promise to double any crypto you send, often with deepfake videos. They are always scams.

Free safety tools

• Check a website link before you connect your wallet
• Check a crypto address for scams and sanctions
• Crypto safety guide