Phishing
Phishing is online fraud where criminals pretend to be a trusted person or company. They do this to steal your information or money.
What is phishing?
For example, scammers might send an email, text message, or WhatsApp message. They may also create a fake website or app that looks almost real.
They often try to pressure you. For example, they might say there’s a problem with your account and that you need to act right away. Then they ask you to click a link or enter information, such as your password or other login details.
Watch out for unfamiliar senders, typos, unexpected links, and attachments. Don’t click links without thinking, and never share your login details in a message.
An example of phishing
You get a text that looks like it came from a crypto exchange. It says someone has logged in to your account and that you need to secure it right away.
The link takes you to a fake website. If you enter your login details there, criminals can use them to try to access your real account. This is phishing: the message and website pretend to be trustworthy, but they’re designed to steal information.
Why is phishing important in crypto?
Phishing is common in crypto because scammers want access to crypto accounts or a crypto wallet. They may pretend to be an employee of a crypto exchange or a professional investor promising high returns.
News about phishing often covers fake messages, websites, or apps. The key thing to understand is that a message can look real without being real. Even experienced people can be fooled.
Got a suspicious message? Don’t click any links or reply. If you’re unsure, contact the crypto company yourself using its official website or phone number.
