Avoiding Crypto Scams.
Do your research.
Before you invest in any cryptocurrency, make sure you understand the risks and potential rewards. There are many different projects out there, and not all of them are created equal. Do your research to find a project that you believe in and that has a strong team behind it. Does it serve a purpose? Does it solve a real problem in the space? If not it may be best to move on.
Use a secure wallet.
When you're holding digital assets (crypto, tokens, nfts), it's important to use a secure wallet. A secure wallet will help protect your cryptocurrency from hackers and thieves. There are many different secure wallets available, so do your research to find one that's right for you.
Metamask is a great online wallet that I use. This is a direct link to their website. ALWAYS make sure you are on the real website - "Metamask.io"
Ledger is a cold hardware wallet, it keeps your assets safe offline. Only buy your devices from ledger.com do not trust any other vendor on amazon, or eBay. It needs to be in the package, sealed and directly from the Ledger company DO NOT use anything else. If your device seems tampered with or odd to you, contact ledger right away they will verify before you move forward.
I am not endorsed or affiliated with these companies in any way, I will not make money if you use these products. Always research products with your environment in mind, these just work well for me.
Send test amounts.
Are you depositing money into a wallet or a smart contract? Send a small amount first and verify that the address is valid and correct. So much better to find that something has gone wrong on a 10 dollar test transaction as opposed to your 3500 dollar total sum. Be aware, sometimes networks can move slowly and most everything can be tracked in real time on the blockchain.
Be aware of phishing attacks.
Phishing attacks are a common way for scammers to steal cryptocurrency or your sensitive information. They often involve sending fake emails or messages that look like they're from legitimate companies or people you trust. If you're ever unsure about an email or message, it's best to err on the side of caution and ignore it or if you know the person, reach out to them with a different form of contact.
"Hey Bob that email seemed odd, you know, with you wanting 900 dollars in apple gift cards, is something going on?"
Keep your private keys safe.
Your private keys are what give you access to your cryptocurrency. It's important to keep your private keys safe and secure. Never share them with anyone, and never store them on a computer that's connected to the internet. Seriously, do not store your private keys on a computer that is connected to the internet, do not take a picture of them and store that. Keep them offline, I wouldn't even trust an encrypted rar file.
Beware of promises.
Be cautious of any too good to be true projects that promises a high return on investment (ROI) in a short amount of time. These assets are very volatile, and there are no guarantees of ROI of any kind. Many of these scams are just tricks of the old trade, modified for the digital age.
"send me money now, Ill send you more money later"
For sure, IF IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT IS.
What to do if you have lost your phone.
Try to locate your phone using other devices.
If you have another device, such as a tablet or laptop, you can try using the "Find My Device" feature to locate your phone. This feature is available on both iOS and Android devices and allows you to track your phone's location.
Lock your phone.
If you are unable to locate your phone after about 15 mins, the next step is to remotely lock it to prevent anyone from accessing your personal information. You can do this using the "Find My Device" feature mentioned above or by contacting your service provider.
Change your passwords.
After locking your phone, change your passwords immediately using your other connected devices (tablet, laptop, desktop). This will prevent anyone from accessing your accounts if they have your phone.
Notify your service provider.
Contact your service provider and report your phone as lost or stolen. They can help you with the necessary steps to protect your account and may be able to help you recover your phone or verify if it is currently in use.
Activate a backup.
If you have an old phone that is from the same carrier as your lost phone you can activate it and have your phone again. You will need to go to your carriers in person retail location and let them know what is going on and they will get you set to go.