Know the Threats to Your Bitcoins

Table of Contents

Virtual currency is spreading faster and becoming popular globally, and it might become a monetary exchange of choice in the future. Trading goods and services online using a virtual global currency is a potential technique that could accelerate international commerce and lessen national currency complications.

Bitcoin’s value has been fluctuating over time and has been taking investors and cryptocurrency loyalists on a roller coaster ride. It is unclear whether Bitcoin will continue booming or result in a bubble burst in the future. Due to such happenings, it has prompted some people to start Bitcoin short selling.

Bitcoin’s speedy rise has attracted plenty of attention globally. Although people barely understand its philosophy and technology, they often come across stories of early Bitcoin miners, adopters, and witty investors who turned their few thousands into millions and billions when Bitcoins value escalated in 2017.

But you also need to be aware that if you engage in the Bitcoin business, there is a risk of becoming a victim to pretentious con artists and malicious hackers who conduct Bitcoin scams.

One of the advantages of cryptocurrency is that its government unregulated and very customizable. But this fact also makes it attract Bitcoin Fraud.

With millions of people dashing to invest in bitcoin, it is crucial to be conscious of new market concerns.

Let us discuss the threats that you may come across as a Bitcoin user:

Fake Exchange

With the popularity of Bitcoin, many people have chosen to invest in it. Unfortunately, con people have been taking advantage of this situation and have been setting up fake exchanges.

An example of a counterfeit deal is tricking users by providing them with very aggressive market prices that lure them into contemplating they’re creating wealth, with rapid and effortless passes to cheap Bitcoins.

For instance, South Korean financial authorities and the local Bitcoin community uncovered the greatest Bitcoin scam, “BitKRX” in 2017. The fake exchange presented itself as a component of Korea’s biggest trading platform, which extracted people’s money.

Another famous Bitcoin scammer is Bernie Madoff of Ponzi schemers. He used mainstream investments, which is a form of a pyramid scheme.

To avoid becoming a victim of exchange fraud, ensure that you use creditable exchange when trading Bitcoin.

Blackmail

There have been several reports of Bitcoin blackmail scams. The scammers hack into your computer and send you emails claiming that they have evidence of your adult website visitation history. The email threatens to distribute the videos to your loved ones unless you deposit money into their Bitcoin accounts.

Such emails are scams, and you should not fall for them. The only reason you receive such emails is that your email might have been exhibited in a data breach.

If the scammers claim to have access to your webcam, computer, or knowledge of your old password, worry not, as this signals that you should update your password.

Money Transfer Fraud

Sometimes, you might receive emails from peculiar people asking you for money to invest in Bitcoin, purporting you will get a share of the bitcoins. If you receive such emails, ignore them. It would be best if you discarded them immediately.

Bitcoin Gifts

Information spreads like fire across the internet, and scammers exploit people using the internet by luring them with bitcoin gifts to exchange personal information and claim registration fees.

Be aware of such scams, and if you come across any of such emails, report the fraud immediately to alert other people.

Bitcoin Imitation

With the growth of technology and widespread use of the internet, it has become easy for fraudsters to create social media accounts and imitate people. The scammers usually wait patiently until the time the person they are trying to mimic response.

The imitator then replies to the content and then sends a persuading or inviting message using a similar account as that of the original author. This resembles the actual person, and you can easily fall for it.

On the other hand, the imitators may use forged accounts to trick users using private or direct messages into registering for a trial. It would be wise to ignore such and even block the accounts.

Scam Coins

It would be best to be cautious when you plan to invest in alternative coins because altcoins sometimes contain some scam coins. They are very enticing to invest in, especially when advertised via private sales with advance sale discounts.

Scam coins appear on flashy websites and brag of a substantial community to instill dismay of missing out on outcomes. Previous holders may exhilarate prices and vent their stance for a profit. Scam coins that lack large communities opt for airdrops and offer tokens to consumers so that they can lure them into joining their organizations.

Once they have good numbers in their community, they can execute their plans with aerated and adhesive metrics that make investors feel like they are being left out to the point of coming to buy-in the scam.

Sometimes, scam coins use the word Bitcoin as trickery to mislead consumers into thinking it is a legit tie.

Malware

Today’s hackers are extraordinarily creative and look for all ways and means to loot from people. When trading in bitcoin, always double or triple check the amount and address you are buying or selling.

Hackers have come up with malware software that alters Bitcoin addresses after being moved from your clipboard once established. This way, all bitcoins are remitted to the hacker’s address.

Once all bitcoins are in the hacker’s hands, the victim gets zero chances of reversing the transaction after a network confirmation. If you notice it after the entire transaction, it will be too late and unrecoverable.

It is crucial to take caution of the programs you permit on your devices to have administration entry. You can install or run an updated virus scanner to help you with your confirmation of genuine addresses.

Pyramid Schemes

Pyramid schemes assure their participant’s returns according to the number of people they ask to join. This enables the pyramid scheme to overgrow, although, in the long-run, it results in massive losses to its followers.

Some Bitcoin scammers operate like pyramid schemes, where they lure you into inviting more people into their project under the goal of accumulating returns and getting some rewards.

Meeting In Person

When locally trading in Bitcoin, the contracting party may ask you to meet them in person to carry on the exchange. If the party is not legit, this becomes a risky deal, and you could lose money or get physically hurt by malicious people.

Be on the lookout for con artists who exchange fake currency for bitcoins. Instead of personal meetings, consider using the internet to sell your bitcoins.

Phishing Websites

There are thousands of fake websites worldwide, and you can easily fall victim, if you are not careful. It would be best if you were sure the website is legit, or you will fall into a trap and start trading your bitcoins and money on the wrong platform.

Ponzi Schemes

Ponzi schemes are all over the internet with promises of guaranteed returns in exchange for money or bitcoin deposits. A Ponzi scheme works by paying previous depositors with current depositors’ money. The idea seems like a cool one, but many people end up losing a lot of money in the long run.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a famous malware that relatively or entirely blocks access to devices unless it pays a certain number of bitcoins.

Sometimes, you might get too desperate to access certain websites, and you end up paying a lot of bitcoins for nothing. Consider consulting a computer guru for assistance in getting rid of the ransomware malware before you do so. You should be careful with the type of programs you download and store on your devices, especially when they ask you for administrator access.

You should also avoid downloading fake software that imitates the original ones.

Pump and Dumps

Some people claim that they know the future of bitcoin rates and lure people into investing in it. Such people are scammers and are in a pump and dump scheme for their profit gain. They often pump bitcoin prices up so that you can pour all your money into it, and you end up losing money.

Prize Giveaways

Prize giveaways are similar to free giveaways where you get enticed into chipping in or spreading information about the giveaways. For instance, you might be asked to give out your name, email, physical address, and contact number to assert your prize.

The information you give out allows hackers to access your accounts and use it to gain access by imitation.

Bitcoin is a lucrative business that attracts people to invest in at some point in their life. However, it has attracted hackers and malicious people globally who want to earn money fraudulently.

If you are not careful, you can quickly lose money when you fall into the hacker trap by accepting phishing emails, prize giveaways, free giveaways, installing fake software on your devices, falling for blackmails, undertaking fake exchange schemes, and meeting contractors personally. It is advisable to trade in genuine companies such as D-Central.

Share the Post:

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as any form of advice.

Related Posts