How to Spot a Fake Crypto Wallet App

Fake wallet apps copy the name, logo and screenshots of popular wallets. Once installed, they ask for your seed phrase or show a deposit address controlled by scammers. One mistake is enough to lose every coin the wallet holds.

Warning signs of a clone

• The developer name in the app store differs from the one on the official website.
• The app has few downloads but a lot of five-star reviews posted within a few days.
• Right after launch, it asks you to "import" or "validate" an existing seed phrase.
• The interface has spelling mistakes, blurry icons or a support chat that pressures you to act fast.

How to verify a download

Open the official website of the wallet by typing its address yourself instead of clicking an ad or a link from a message. Follow the app store link published there and compare the developer name. For desktop wallets, check the checksum or the signature of the installer if the project publishes one.

Search ads are a common trap

Scammers buy ads for popular wallet names, so the first search result is not always the real project. Bookmark the official site once and use the bookmark afterwards.

What to do if you entered your seed phrase

1. Treat the phrase as compromised: anyone who knows it controls the funds.
2. Install the genuine wallet, create a new wallet with a new seed phrase and write it down offline.
3. Move the remaining funds to the new addresses as quickly as possible.
4. Delete the fake app and report it to the app store.

No legitimate wallet, exchange or support agent will ever ask for your seed phrase.