Numerous scam attempts target Coinbase users, aiming to steal account credentials or funds. Here’s what you need to know about Coinbase-related scams and how to protect yourself:
- Phishing Emails/Texts: Scammers send fake emails or text messages designed to look like official Coinbase communications. These messages often:
– Create a sense of urgency about a made-up problem with your account.
– Contain grammatical errors and suspicious formatting.
– Ask you to click on links that direct to fake Coinbase websites (phishing sites) designed to steal your login information.
– Request sensitive information like passwords, verification codes (including 2FA codes), or remote access to your device, which Coinbase will never do.
- Technical Support & Impersonation Scams: You might receive unsolicited calls or texts from individuals claiming to be Coinbase support staff. They may try to pressure you into transferring funds or sharing security codes under the guise of “securing your account” or “resolving an issue.” Remember:
– Coinbase will never call you out of the blue about account issues.
– They will never ask for your password, 2FA codes, or to install software on your device.
– They will never tell you to transfer your crypto to a new or “secure” address to protect your funds.
- Investment Scams: Scammers might impersonate investment managers or online “love interests” and try to convince you to invest in fake opportunities, promising high returns. They’ll often ask you to send cryptocurrency to a wallet address or use a specific platform that turns out to be fraudulent.
- Giveaway Scams: Scammers may post fake giveaways on social media or send emails promising free crypto, but require you to send cryptocurrency to “verify” your address or click on malicious links.
- Scam Tokens/Dusting Attacks: Scammers might send tiny amounts of “dust” cryptocurrency to your wallet to try to uncover your identity, or design tokens that are difficult or impossible to sell.
- Stop All Communication: Cut off contact with the scammer immediately.
- Do Not Share Information: Never give out your login credentials, password, 2FA codes, or any other sensitive information.
- Verify Directly: If you receive a suspicious message about your Coinbase account, go directly to the official Coinbase website (www.coinbase.com) or app to check your account status. Do not use links provided in the message.
- Change Passwords: Immediately change your passwords for your Coinbase account and any other accounts that might be compromised.
- Enable 2FA: If you haven’t already, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), preferably using an authenticator app rather than SMS, to further secure your accounts.
- Report the Scam:
– Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from Coinbase to [email protected].
– Report phishing text messages by forwarding them to 7726 or submitting a screenshot to [email protected].
– Report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
– Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
– Contact Coinbase Support through their official website or app to report the incident and get help securing your account. You can also call Coinbase support at +1-(806)-702-3814 or +1-(802)-310-7939 for urgent assistance.
- Cryptocurrency transactions are generally irreversible once confirmed on the blockchain.
- Coinbase may consider refunds in cases of unauthorized account access (hacking) or certain platform/payment errors, but does not guarantee refunds, especially if you willingly sent funds to a scammer.
- Acting quickly by contacting Coinbase support immediately after suspecting a scam is crucial for potentially recovering funds or securing your account.
- Be cautious of unsolicited contact: Coinbase will not proactively call or text you about account security issues.
- Never click suspicious links: Always verify links before clicking, and only access Coinbase through their official website or app.
- Protect your login information: Never share your password, verification codes, or recovery phrases with anyone.
- Use strong passwords and enable 2FA: These basic security measures significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Do your research: Be skeptical of investment opportunities that sound too good to be true, and research companies or individuals before trusting them with your funds.
Can Coinbase be trusted?
Good point! Because it is US-based, publicly-traded, and is on the cutting edge of crypto security solutions, Coinbase consistently ranks as the safest crypto exchange in the world. That’s why it’s trusted by more than 100 million crypto investors.
Is Coinbase a scam text message?
Good point! If you receive a text message reporting that you’ve received cryptocurrency that you did not authorize, it is likely a phishing attempt. Coinbase does not send out texts to verify transactions. Notice that the links here do not direct you to http://www.coinbase.com. Do not click these links.
What to do if you got scammed on Coinbase?
Always enable 2FA and double-check all transaction details. Contact Coinbase support anytime at 1-(802)-310-7939 for urgent help. If you suspect your Coinbase account has been scammed or compromised, don’t delay—call 1-(802)-310-7939 now to get immediate assistance from real support agents.