How to Avoid Scams and Phishing in Crypto: Practical Protection

One click can cost you your entire balance. That’s how thousands of crypto-loss stories begin. A user opens a site that looks like the original, connects a wallet — and the USDT is gone. According to CertiK analysts, in just the first half of 2025 crypto investors lost $2.5 billion due to hacks and fraud. More than 340 incidents were recorded, and the average damage from a single attack reaches $7.18 million. Almost $400 million came specifically from crypto phishing, where fake sites, bots, and wallets disguise themselves as original services.

This material explains:

• how not to fall for a scam and spot a fake at first glance;
• how not to lose crypto in any networks and apps;
• which safe crypto services to choose and how to tell them from fakes;
• and how to protect yourself from deception in the crypto world.

Phishing and scams are the main threats to every blockchain user. Unlike bank cards, crypto transactions are irreversible, and getting stolen coins back is almost impossible. That’s why it’s more important to prevent risk than to deal with consequences.

A scam is deception for profit. Fraudsters promise “guaranteed returns,” “test payouts,” investments in “pools,” or “compensation for an error.” The single goal is to get someone to transfer funds voluntarily.

Phishing is a pixel-perfect copy of the original. A site or bot fully replicates the look of a legitimate project, but instead of the developers’ server, data goes to the attackers. The logo, colors, and buttons match, but any button may lead to stealing a seed phrase or connecting a wallet to a fake contract. To avoid becoming a victim, it’s important to know the signs of a scam site and be able to recognize a fake site — that is, understand how to tell the original site from a counterfeit.

Why crypto is especially vulnerable:

• anonymity hinders quick identification of attackers;
• transactions are irreversible — it’s nearly impossible to recover transfers;
• users tend to trust the interface and design rather than check the address bar.

According to Chainalysis, in 2024 addresses linked to fraudulent schemes received about $12 billion. A significant share comprises scam crypto projects and fake wallets created specifically for mass theft.

Fraudsters have grown more sophisticated. They don’t just register similar domains — they copy interfaces, texts, animations, and even chat replies.

Typical techniques:

• Domain and character substitution. Instead of example.com you see examp1e.com, exarnple.com, or exampIe.com (Latin I instead of l). These tricks are easy to miss at a glance.
• Buying ads. Fake pages buy search ads and placements in Telegram channels to appear above real links.
• Interface imitation. Clones copy buttons like “Connect wallet,” “Verification” — and substitute their own contracts.
• Fake Telegram bots and DMs. Bots pose as project support and send phishing links in Telegram, demanding you “confirm” or “enter a code.”
• Fake apps. Wallet clones in app stores ask for a seed at first launch.
• Fake “checkers” and calculators. Such “services” offer to check a revoke but in fact ask for private data or signatures.
• Fake support — a widespread trick of its own

Many scams follow one script: “support” messages you (often on Telegram), reports an error or “frozen funds,” and asks you to confirm your wallet “for a refund.” Sometimes they propose a safe app installation or a “connection” for verification.

They use:

• lookalike handles (one letter/symbol difference);
• copied avatars and short “verification” phrases;
• time pressure (“return within 10 minutes”).

The key safety rule is to check a site for fakes before doing anything. It takes a minute and often saves your funds.

Checklist:

• Compare the site address with the official one. Phishing domains often look almost identical: extra letters, shuffled characters, or substitutions like Latin “I” for “l,” “0” for “o,” “rn” for “m.” Legitimate projects usually use familiar .com, .org, or regional TLDs — check for unexpected TLDs or hyphens.
• Domain and SSL check. Make sure the site runs over HTTPS and there’s a lock icon in the address bar. If the browser says “Not secure,” don’t proceed. Simply checking the domain and SSL avoids most phishing traps.
• Registration date (whois). Look it up via whois: young domains (< 6 months) are often linked to phishing.
• Official social media and channels. Verify that links on Twitter/Telegram/the project page match the site’s domain. Legit projects publish a single link to the official resource.
• Content quality. Spelling errors, machine translation, layout bugs — typical signs of a fake.
• Don’t follow ads. It’s safer to type the address manually or open it via a bookmark.

According to Group-IB, the number of phishing sites grew by 110% in 2024. A basic domain and HTTPS check is a real and quick defense against phishing.

Crypto security doesn’t start with software but with simple actions that become habits.

• Keep only trusted resources in bookmarks and build a personal list of safe crypto services.
• Never enter a seed phrase, private key, or QR code on third-party sites.
• Check Telegram bot handles — fakes often have one extra letter or “0” instead of “o.”
• Don’t click links from “support” in comments or DMs.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and use anti-phishing codes where available.
• Use hardware wallets for large amounts — a simple and reliable way to protect a crypto wallet from being hacked.
• Regularly check token permissions (approve) — this is key to access control.

Where to check approvals in other networks: for Ethereum — Etherscan (Token Approvals), for BSC — BscScan, for Polygon — Polygonscan, for Avalanche — SnowTrace; universal tools like Revoke.cash or Etherscan Token Approvals help with most EVM networks.

By following these steps, you’ll protect yourself from scams and keep your funds safe.

Fraud rarely looks obvious. It could be a copy of a well-known site, a polite “support” bot, or a calculator that offers to “check” a fee. Everything looks familiar, but one click can zero out the account.

A user receives a message (Telegram / e-mail) stating that “erroneous” transfers were found and the address must be confirmed for a refund. The link leads to a fake; when connecting, a permission (approve) is created or a seed is requested — and the balance is gone.
Reaction: don’t follow the link; check the domain; if you connected — immediately revoke via the relevant block explorer.

Fake wallets with similar names and logos appear in app stores. At first launch they ask for a seed. After you enter it, the data goes to the attacker’s server.
Reaction: download apps only via the official site link; check the publisher; if you entered a seed — create a new wallet and move your funds.

Bots send “official” messages, ask to confirm an address or install a “protective” app. They often use urgency and emotional pretexts.
Reaction: don’t follow the links sent; check the handle and the account creation date; contact official support using the contact listed on the site.

Sites masquerade as useful utilities (fee calculators, revoke checkers) but ask for private data or propose “automatic fixes,” requiring signatures.
Reaction: use only verified block-explorer tools; never enter private keys or seed phrases.

Even experienced users make mistakes. The main thing is to act quickly and by the book.

1. Disconnect your wallet from the suspicious site. End sessions in TronLink/MetaMask/WalletConnect — this won’t return money but will stop extra background requests.
2. Transfer the remainder to a new wallet (new seed). Never go back to the old one.
3. Check and clear permissions (approve).
   For EVM networks — Etherscan/BscScan/Polygonscan → Token Approvals / Revoke.cash;
   for TRON — TronScan → Wallet → Approvals.
4. Check the device. Scan with antivirus, delete suspicious APKs/extensions.
5. Report the scam. Upload information to Chainabuse, ScamSniffer, the project’s support, and relevant communities. The faster the domain is flagged, the fewer victims.
6. Warn the community. Post in thematic chats and forums — this will save others.

After the incident, change passwords, enable 2FA, recreate backups, and check approvals weekly. This will minimize the risk of a repeat leak and help you understand how to protect a crypto wallet from hacks in the future.

Phishing and scams have become an entire industry with billions in turnover. In just half of 2025, users lost more than $2.5 billion, and a significant portion of these losses is tied to fake sites, bots, and impostor support.

However, attentiveness, a simple domain/SSL checklist, and basic habits (bookmarks, 2FA, hardware wallet, revoking permissions) let you avoid most common attacks. Use safe crypto services, verify every action, and you’ll know exactly how not to fall for scams and how not to lose your crypto.

This material is for information purposes and is not financial advice.