The FBI has issued a warning about scammers impersonating crypto exchange employees to steal users’ funds through fraudulent calls and messages.
Points
- Scammers impersonate crypto exchange employees to steal users’ funds.
- Victims are contacted via calls or messages, claiming issues with their accounts.
- Scammers seek access codes, identification information, and account details.
- The FBI advises users not to respond to such calls or messages.
- Victims are urged to report scams to official channels and provide transaction information.
The United States Federal Bureau
of Investigation （FBI） has issued a warning about a growing scam targeting cryptocurrency users. Scammers are impersonating employees of crypto exchanges, attempting to steal users’ funds through fraudulent calls and messages. These malicious actors often claim that there are problems with the user’s account or that someone is attempting to compromise it.
The FBI explains that scammers use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, convincing potential victims that immediate action is needed to protect their accounts. They then try to extract access codes, identification information, or account details from the user, which allows them to gain unauthorized access and steal digital assets.
FBI Recommendations
To safeguard against these scams, the FBI provides several critical recommendations:
- Do Not Respond: If you receive a call or message indicating problems with your account, do not respond, even if the communication appears official.
- Verify: Always call the cryptocurrency exchange’s official phone number to verify any claims. Do not use any phone number provided by the caller.
- Avoid Links: Refrain from clicking on any links or visiting websites suggested by the caller. Navigate to the exchange’s official website independently.
- Protect Login Details: Never provide login details, access codes, or personal identification information over the phone or through messages.
- Report Scams: If you fall victim to a scam, report it to the FBI’s official channels and provide any relevant transaction information.
In addition to these guidelines, the FBI urges users to be vigilant about the increasing sophistication of these scams and to remain cautious when handling unsolicited communications about their crypto accounts.
FBI Warning Against Fake Remote Jobs
The FBI has also detected a rise in scam advertisements for fake work-from-home jobs. In these schemes, scammers use a fake interface to trick users into believing they are earning money. They then ask for cryptocurrency payments to unlock more job opportunities. However, the earnings are not real, and the crypto payments go directly to the scammers.
解説
- Scam Awareness: The FBI’s warning highlights the need for increased awareness of scams in the cryptocurrency space. As digital assets become more mainstream, scammers are employing more sophisticated tactics to exploit users.
- High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, compelling users to act without thinking. Recognizing these tactics can help users avoid falling victim to such schemes.
- Verification: Verifying the legitimacy of any communication about your crypto accounts is crucial. Always use official channels to confirm any claims and avoid relying on information provided by unsolicited callers or messages.
- Security Best Practices: Following best practices for account security, such as not sharing login details or clicking on suspicious links, can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.
- Reporting Scams: Reporting scams to authorities not only helps in recovering lost assets but also aids in tracking and apprehending scammers. It contributes to the broader effort to combat cybercrime in the cryptocurrency industry.