Bitcoin empowers us to take full control of our wealth. But with great power comes great responsibility, and that includes protecting yourself from phishing scams. As Bitcoin adoption grows, so do attempts to separate people from their keys. The good news? In this post I will give you 3 simple rules you need to follow if you want to avoid phishing traps.

A phishing scam is a type of fraud where attackers pretend to be a trusted entity, like a website, company, or person, to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, private keys, or financial details. They often use fake websites, emails, or messages that look real to get you to click, lig in, or share data. Once they have your info, they can steal your money or identity.

Okay, so how do you prevent them?

Do not rely on Google to access Bitcoin related platforms. Ever.

Phishing scams often target people who search for wallet services, exchanges, or Bitcoin tools. An example... users search for "MetaMask" or similar wallets, click the top result, and unknowingly land on a fake site that looks convincing, until they enter their keys and lose everything.

To prevent this you need to Bookmark the real URL the first time you use a site. Make sure it uses HTTPS and is spelled exactly right, no odd characters or lookalikes. Whether it's Google, your exchange, or your Bitcoin wallet provider, always go directly through your bookmarks, never through a search engine.

Even if you get an email from what appears to be Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken, don't just go ahead and click anything. Phishing emails often look identical to legitimate ones. They'll say things like "Immediate action required" or " Unusual login attempt" Anything to make you panic, and click.

Here's the rule: don't reply, don't click. Just open a browser and visit the site manually. If you're on your phone, go directly through the official app. On desktop, type the URL or use your bookmark. If you want to check an account notification, do it on your own terms, not through a link in an email you didn't request.

Scammers prey on emotion. They'll try to create urgency. "Log in now or your account will be disabled" or "Claim your reward within 10 minutes!" This is social engineering, and it's how many people get tricked into handing over credentials.

Expect this. Mentally prepare yourself to pause when things feel urgent. Ask yourself... would a real Bitcoin company or service operate this way? If you slow down and think, you'll spot the manipulation. Don't let them hijack your attention.

It's not just emails and fake websites, scammers are also pretending to be well-known Bitcoin YouTube comments and direct messages. They copy profile pictures, use similar names and drop contact info like WhatsApp or Telegram numbers.

Look for the gray background or verified check on real YouTube comments. Fake accounts won't have that. If you see them, report them. It helps platforms detect and remove them faster.

Unfortunately, YouTube still lags in allowing creators to ban scammers effectively. Unlike Facebook, which hides past comments when a user is blocked, YouTube doesn't fully purge scam replies. Until that changes, we need to help each other by staying vigilant.

Bitcoin doesn't attract scammers because it's unsafe. It attracts them because it works, because it represents real money and real freedom. Wharever there's value, there will be predators.

But we are not powerless. Bookmark your sites, avoid clicking unknown links, and never let urgency override your judgment. Stay calm and verify everything.

That's it for this post, feel free to comment anything else that might help avoid phishing scams ^^,