Identity Theft in Messaging Apps: How Can You Protect Yourself?

Increasing Dangers in the Cryptocurrency World

Recently, there has been a significant rise in fraud cases claiming to contact customer service units of crypto platforms. Especially popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp have become preferred tools for malicious actors to reach their targets.

Common Tactics Used by Scammers

Phishing scams are particularly effective when carried out via WhatsApp. These types of attacks typically follow these steps:

1. Creating a Fake Identity
The criminals open profiles that give the impression of being affiliated with legitimate crypto service providers. Profile photos and names are crafted based on elements from real institutions.

2. Creating an Emergency Scenario
Alarm scenarios such as unauthorized transactions, security breaches, or withdrawal attempts are presented. This is a strategy to force the victim to make quick decisions.

3. Requesting Confidential Information
After gaining trust in the initial step, critical information such as login passwords, two-factor authentication codes, or digital wallet keys are requested.

4. Redirecting Funds
In some cases, the victim is convinced to transfer their crypto assets to a supposedly secure address, and these assets are never recovered.

5. Cutting Off Communication
The scammer states that the transaction must be kept confidential, preventing the victim from contacting official support channels. After the transfer, all communication channels are closed.

Recognize Official Communication Channels

Legitimate crypto platforms have specific channels for customer support:

• Official support portal: A dedicated web interface available 24/7
• Verified social media accounts: Official profiles on platforms like Twitter, Telegram
• Email: Authorized addresses with the company’s domain name

Before engaging in any communication, verify the identity of the other party using the platform’s official verification tools.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Never Share Information
Your account passwords, verification codes, or private keys should never be shared under any circumstances. Even official platforms do not request this information.

Check Profiles Carefully
Examine the creation date of WhatsApp profiles, the spelling of the username, and the authenticity of the profile photo.

Be Suspicious of Emergency Requests
Sudden withdrawal requests or messages claiming urgent intervention are classic signs of fraud.

Stay Alert in Group Settings
The identities of individuals in community groups should also be verified. Requests to send data to group administrators should be considered red flags.

Your Most Powerful Weapon: Awareness

Once you understand the scam mechanisms, recognizing warning signs becomes much easier. The most important principle to remember is: No legitimate crypto platform conducts customer service requests via WhatsApp or similar personal messaging apps.

If someone contacts you through these channels asking for money or information, they are trying to scam you. Be cautious, use official channels, and report such messages immediately.