How to protect yourself from scams?

Even in the real world, after a theft, the police often struggle to help recover stolen funds. In the virtual world, there isn't even a specific authority dedicated to investigating and punishing online criminals. With the rise of DeFi (Decentralized Finance) and the broader crypto industry, the complexity of various scams and fraudulent schemes is increasing. Scams are becoming more sophisticated, but effective methods exist to avoid falling victim to them. In this article, we've compiled a guide on protecting your virtual assets from scammers.

6 simple tips to safeguard yourself from scams:

Secure your wallet: In most cases, a private key is used to access your crypto wallet. If someone asks you to share your private keys for any reason, it's likely a scam. Never share your private key with anyone, and avoid storing it where others can easily access it.
Don't rush: If anyone pressures you to invest quickly or requests immediate funds, it's likely a scam. Some scammers even offer bonuses or discounts to convince you to invest hastily. Take your time and carefully consider your actions before making any decisions.
Always verify sources and links: To avoid phishing, check and avoid using unverified links. Especially scrutinize links related to your assets or interactions with your wallet and services.
Avoid social media ads: Scammers often use social media for advertising fraudulent cryptocurrency investment opportunities. Some even use images of celebrities (often without their consent) to boost trust in their scams.
Ignore cold calls (private messages from strangers): If you suddenly receive messages about cryptocurrency investment opportunities, it's likely a scam. Never provide personal information or transfer money to unknown individuals. Block such messages to save your time.
Check token smart contract addresses: When buying cryptocurrencies on decentralized platforms, be cautious, as scammers may create fake trading pairs with names identical to well-known projects. You can verify contract names on platforms like CryptoRank, Coingecko, or Coinmarketcap.

Remember to stay vigilant and adopt a skeptical mindset when dealing with financial transactions, especially in the crypto space.