PAUSE BEFORE YOU PAY
Recognize a scam.
Someone else’s urgency is a reason to stop and check. Do not deposit cash if you are being pressured to send cryptocurrency.
Only use your own wallet
You must conduct the transaction for yourself and own and control the destination wallet. Bitcoin Near Me prohibits acting for a third party or buying cryptocurrency directly for a wallet controlled by someone else. Inserting the cash yourself does not make a transfer to a scammer-controlled wallet acceptable.
Our ATM confirmation prompts ask you to affirm wallet ownership and that you are acting on your own behalf. Do not proceed if someone else supplies the receiving wallet or directs the transaction.
Watch for these warning signs
- Fake investment scams: Someone promises fast or guaranteed profits and directs you to a convincing but fake investment website or app. They may show invented gains or allow a small withdrawal to build trust, then pressure you to invest more or pay supposed taxes or fees to release your money.
- Romance scams: Someone you have only met online builds a romantic relationship, then asks for money or cryptocurrency for travel, medical bills, or an emergency. They may repeatedly avoid meeting in person, pressure you to keep payments secret, or make you feel guilty for refusing. Pause and speak with someone you trust.
- Government impersonation scams: Someone claiming to represent the CRA, police, or another government agency says you owe taxes or face arrest or imprisonment unless you pay immediately in Bitcoin. They may fake caller ID to appear legitimate. Do not pay—end the conversation and verify the claim through an official number you find yourself. Read more from the CRA scam guidance.
- Recovery scams: A person offers to recover money you lost, but demands a payment first.
- Pressure to keep payments secret: Someone tells you to keep a payment secret from family, your bank, or the ATM operator.
- Requests for sensitive information or access: Someone asks for your wallet recovery phrase, passwords, or remote access to your device.
Before you confirm
- Check the destination address against your own wallet and confirm that the cryptocurrency and network match what your wallet supports.
- Stop if you are following another person’s instructions, being pressured, or told to keep the transaction secret.
- Do not use an ATM in response to cryptocurrency demands from supposed CRA officials, police, immigration officers, technical support, investment managers, romantic contacts or other third parties. Verify claims independently.
- Understand that completed, confirmed cryptocurrency transfers are irreversible and final. Bitcoin Near Me cannot reverse them. Blockchain confirmations can take time; a delay does not mean you should send another payment at someone’s request.
Completed transfers are irreversible and final
Completed, confirmed cryptocurrency transfers are irreversible and final. Bitcoin Near Me cannot reverse these transfers or retrieve cryptocurrency sent to a scammer’s wallet. Bitcoin Near Me does not reimburse losses from correctly completed transactions you authorize, including transfers to scammers. Check the destination carefully and stop before confirming if anyone is pressuring you.
Verify independently
End the conversation and contact the organization using a number you find yourself. Do not rely on contact details supplied by the person asking for money. Government agencies do not accept cryptocurrency payments, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s crypto scam guidance.
If you have already sent money
Contact the police service in your area and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You can also contact our support team about a Bitcoin Near Me transaction. Contacting support does not reverse a completed, confirmed transfer or enable Bitcoin Near Me to retrieve funds from a scammer’s wallet. Bitcoin Near Me does not reimburse losses from correctly completed transactions you authorize.
Further reading: CAFC guidance on impersonation and recovery fraud.