Middlesex Co. Authorities Warn Of Cryptocurrency Scammers Impersonating Coinbase

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Coinbase, one of America's largest cryptocurrency exchanges for buying, selling, and storing digital assets, has become a prime target for cybercriminals, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has warned.

A sophisticated phishing scam targeting cell phone users through text messages is currently surging nationwide. The Prosecutor’s Office has warned residents to be aware of the scam.

Scammers send fraudulent text messages impersonating Coinbase to steal user credentials and gain unauthorized access to accounts. These messages often claim there's suspicious activity or request immediate verification.

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Unknown sender numbers not associated with official Coinbase communications

• Unsolicited one-time password (OTP) codes or fake withdrawal notifications

• Requests to call a phone number to "verify" your account activity

• Poor spelling, grammar errors, or extremely urgent language designed to create panic

Here are some tips to protect yourself:

DO NOT:

• Provide account login credentials to anyone

• Share financial account information or activity details

• Click suspicious links or call numbers from these texts

DO:

• Change your password immediately if you've interacted with a phishing message

• Contact your financial institutions if you shared any sensitive information

• Block the phone number and report the text as spam/junk

• Forward screenshots of phishing attempts to security@coinbase.com

Call 9-1-1 or your local police department if you believe you are being victimized. You can also report scams to Coinbase security@coinbase.com or to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) https://www.ic3.gov.

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