Main topics of the post:
Binance will never use WhatsApp to communicate with its users.
You can always verify the legitimacy of someone claiming to represent Binance with the Binance Verify tool.
Scammers tend to use WhatsApp and other messaging platforms for phishing scams. They will try to gain your trust and ask you to send them information or funds.
Your online security is of utmost importance to us. Before we dive into the details, we have an important message to share:
Binance does not use, does not have WhatsApp groups and will never contact you via WhatsApp.
Anyone claiming to represent Binance and contacting you via WhatsApp is trying to scam or defraud you.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for bad actors to impersonate us to contact you and request funds. In fact, we recently became aware that scammers posed as Binance France and Italy teams to extort money from our community via WhatsApp groups.
Informing yourself is one of the best ways to protect yourself against these scams and that is why we are here today. Let's stay vigilant together!
How Binance will actually contact you
There are several ways Binance can contact you or you can contact us:
Through the Binance Customer Support team, available 24/7 on our customer service portal.
Via our official X account (formerly known as Twitter): @binance.
Via Telegram. Be sure, however, to verify the identity of the contact with the Binance Verify service. This tool allows you to check the legitimacy of a website, email address, Telegram ID, or other point of contact.
You should also carefully examine the community groups you belong to. Our Stay safe from scams in community groups guide will help you with this.
Via email. Again, be sure to use Binance Verify to carefully check your shipping address.
What is the danger here?
In a word: phishing. Phishing scams involve deceptive tactics in which a fraudster convinces a victim to send funds or hand over confidential information. This is often accomplished through fake emails, websites, or messages that resemble legitimate cryptocurrency platforms. The scammer's goal is to exploit user trust before requesting information or assets.
How can phishing attempts be made via WhatsApp?
As the cryptocurrency and social media landscape expands, so do the tactics of malicious actors aiming to exploit unsuspecting individuals. WhatsApp is one of the most popular contact methods for millions of people around the world, making it vulnerable to use by scammers.
Here's what a phishing scam on WhatsApp would normally look like:
Fake identity: A scammer creates a fake WhatsApp profile resembling a Binance representative.
Urgent issues: They claim an urgent issue with your Binance account, such as suspicious activity.
Request for information or funds: The scammer asks for sensitive information such as account credentials and two-factor authentication codes, or asks you to transfer some cryptocurrency to them.
Falsely conveying trust: They share some details that appear to be true, potentially from public sources.
Isolation and Disappearance: The scammer insists on confidentiality and discourages you from discussing this with anyone else, including Binance Support, claiming that the situation is delicate and needs to be handled with discretion. Finally, they disappear after you send cryptocurrencies or information, leaving you with losses.
Staying vigilant and informed is your weapon against scams
By understanding how the scam works, you will be prepared to notice its warning signs. This is one of the most powerful ways to protect yourself. Don't forget, we will never contact you via WhatsApp. You can be sure that anyone who does this is trying to defraud you, so be aware and follow our official communication channels.
Further reading
Risk Management: Binance's fight against social engineering
Stay safe from scams in community groups
How to spot scammers pretending to be Binance Angels