At 15:00 UTC on Wednesday, the much-anticipated Zhejiang testnet for staking withdrawal went live on Ethereum’s Beacon chain. Zhejiang will enable the testing of the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 4895 which allows for staking withdrawals. This is in preparation for the network’s next major update, the Shanghai hard fork slated to launch sometime in March. Users Can Make Simulated Withdrawals with Zhejiang In a tweet yesterday, DevOps engineer at Ethereum foundation Barnabas Busa gave details about the Zhejiang testnet slated…
What are Crypto Scams?
Crypto scams are fraudulent schemes that manipulate individuals or businesses into sending cryptocurrency or personal information to the scammer. Some common types of crypto scams include:
- Ponzi/pyramid schemes: These scams promise high returns to earlier investors by paying off those returns with the investments of new investors rather than through legitimate business activities.
- Phishing scams: These scams use fake websites, emails, or texts to trick individuals into revealing their personal information, such as login credentials or private keys.
- Investment scams: They lure individuals into investing in a fake cryptocurrency or another investment opportunity that promises high returns but ultimately becomes a fraud.
- ICO scams: involve creating and promoting fake initial coin offerings (ICOs) to raise funds from unsuspecting investors.
How to Protect Yourself Against Crypto Scams
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself against crypto scams:
- Be cautious of unsolicited offers: If you receive an unsolicited offer to invest in a cryptocurrency or other investment opportunity, be wary. It’s best to research and not act on such offers without verifying their legitimacy.
- Research the company or individual behind the offer: Look for information about the company or individual behind the offer, including their track record and any regulatory actions taken against them.
- Check for red flags: Be on the lookout for red flags, such as promises of guaranteed returns, pressure to act quickly, or requests for personal information.
- Use secure websites and networks: Only use secure websites and networks when engaging in cryptocurrency transactions or providing personal information.
- Keep your software up to date: Make sure to keep your computer and mobile device software up to date to protect against malware and other security threats.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication: Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
- Use a hardware wallet: Consider storing your cryptocurrency in a hardware wallet, which is a physical device that stores your private keys and allows you to access your cryptocurrency securely.
Following these steps can increase your protection against crypto scams and other fraudulent activities, such as crypto hacks.
Conclusion
Crypto scams can be difficult to spot, as they often use sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious and to thoroughly research any investment opportunity before committing to any funds.