Alert | New Two-Part Scam Call Targets Coinbase Users
A new wave of scam calls aimed at Coinbase account holders is alarming the crypto community. Recent reports reveal calls from individuals impersonating Coinbase support, claiming accounts have been compromised. The email addresses used by these scammers often lack complete domains, raising serious red flags.
Unpacking the Scam Details
This two-part fraud method begins with a caller advising recipients against sharing personal details. They ask about hardware wallets and estimated account balances, asserting they have evidence of account hacking. A follow-up email with a bogus case number follows the initial call. This is followed up by a second call around an hour later using the same fake case number.
One recipient outsmarted the scammer by claiming the support number was incorrect, saying, "I ran them around, saying the support number was wrong so not really sure what they were after." Disturbingly, the scammer had access to private details, including the person's name, email, phone number, and historical address.
Additionally, an important point was raised on forums: scammers often use non-Cyrillic letters like "a" or "ษ" in the name "Coinbase," making it harder to identify fraudulent communications at a glance.
Voices from the Community
Feedback from multiple forums underscores rising caution among people:
Trust Issues with Calls: Many assert itโs dangerous to engage with such calls. One commenter said, "I wouldnโt have answered either call but continuing the conversation is cray cray."
Importance of Data Protection: Users emphasize the need for verifying identities before sharing any details. One participant pointed out, "A real vendor would already know the details on your account."
Threat Perception: People are debating whether these scams indicate a new wave of fraud or are remnants of previous breaches. As one user noted, "For me, it's about determining if there's an ongoing threat."
Notable Quotes
"Yeah, I knew it was a scam immediately just found it interesting."
"Nobody is ever getting my seed or convincing me to send anything."
Key Insights
โ ๏ธ The scam seeks to extract personal information falsely.
๐ Scammers had direct access to sensitive user information.
๐ Users are urged to report any suspicious activity immediately.
Growing Threat Landscape in Crypto
As the cryptocurrency environment continues to mature, experts warn of escalating scam risks, anticipating a 20-30% increase in scams over the upcoming year. This mirrors earlier issues seen in online banking, where distinguishing between legitimate communications and fraudulent ones posed significant challenges. The crypto community is now faced with similar difficulties, making the safeguarding of personal data more crucial than ever.