What to Do if You’ve Had Your Funds Stolen

min read

Phishing and hacking are (unfortunately) very common in the crypto space. Don’t let it discourage you though, as most attacks are completely preventable. We will not be able to recover your funds for you, but we’re here to help however we can. English Being able to recognize and prepare yourself for future phishing attempts is very important.

Step 1: Identify the method.

The first step is identifying how it happened. Phishers make their living by being sneaky, so being able to figure out their methodology will be tremendously helpful.

• Check your history. Have you recently visited any sketchy sites? Did you recently enter your information on a fake MEW after clicking a link?
  • Look at the URLs. Do you see any tiny dots or accents over (or under) the letters?
• 使用防病毒软件扫描电脑 It’s possible your files have been compromised.
• Do you have any remote-access software installed, i.e. Teamviewer? These can be hacked remotely to view the information right from your screen.
• What method do you use to access your wallet? Private keys, keystore/JSON files, and mnemonic phrases are not generally recommended because they allow easy access to one’s wallet.

Step 2: Make a new wallet.

Since your old wallet was compromised, you will need to discontinue its use and set up a new wallet. There are multiple safer options to choose from besides keystore/JSON files, mnemonic phrases, or private keys.

• The best thing you can do for your security is purchase a hardware wallet, such as the Ledger Nano S or Trezor. These are generally around ~$100, but can save you thousands in the long run.
• MEW wallet is our fully fledged mobile app, which allows users to buy, hold, and send Ether and tokens right from their smartphone. It’s simple, fast, and secure.
• MetaMask is a free Google Chrome Extension that allows you to set up an Ethereum wallet, which can be used with MEW. MetaMask also warns you when visiting known phishing sites.

Step 3: Educate yourself.

When it comes to crypto, there is no such thing as being too educated. This is a very new field, so even the experts have more to learn. The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be.

• A great place to start is with our Knowledge Base. MEW maintains a variety of articles that can help. Start with our Pro-Tips on how to avoid phishers.
• The force is strong with this community. Follow us on Twitter and Reddit for any current MEW-related scams or updates that might be going on.
• Google everything! Before sending money to any service, search it on Google. Read people’s opinions on it, check Twitter and Reddit. Do your research!

Step 4: Let the world know!

To avoid these scams, we need to know they’re happening. Take screenshots and write down what happened, while it’s still fresh.

• Send us the information! We cannot recover stolen funds, but we can help warn others. We’re always available at support@myetherwallet.com.
  • To make the process easier, make sure to include all relevant addresses, transaction hashes, screenshots, and details about how it happened.
• Let people know on Twitter, Reddit, Etherscan, etc. Blow up those comments. Let your voice be heard

We know these attacks can be very demoralizing, but let it be an opportunity for learning. If these phishers deter you from using crypto, then they win. Show them that you’re a force to be reckoned with!