Cryptocurrency Users Targeted For Scams, Howell Police Warn

HOWELL, NJ — People who have cryptocurrency accounts are being warned by Howell Township police about an increase in phishing scams aimed at taking over the accounts.

“These scams are becoming more common and it’s important for everyone to know how to spot them, even if you’re not very familiar with cryptocurrencies or online exchanges,” Howell police said.

Phishing is when scammers send fake emails or messages that look like they’re from a real company. Their goal is to trick you into giving away personal information like usernames, passwords, or financial details.

Residents who have any questions or need help understanding these threats are urged to contact Detective Robert Ortenzi at 732-938-4575, ext. 2894, or Detective Richard Robertiello at 732-938-4575, ext. 2652.

Howell police shared the following signs that someone is trying to steal personal information:

• Urgent Requests: Emails that urge you to take immediate action, like “Your account will be closed!” or “Verify your information now!”
• Poor Grammar or Spelling: Many phishing emails contain noticeable mistakes.
• Requests for Personal Info: Any message asking for passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive data.
• Suspicious Links: Links that direct you to websites that don’t look quite right or have strange web addresses.
• Unusual Sender Email Addresses: Click on the sender’s name to reveal their actual email address. It should match the official company domain. For example, emails from Coinbase (a major cryptocurrency exchange) will always end with @Coinbase.com
• Unknown Senders: Messages from companies or services you don’t use.

If you receive a suspicious email

• Do Not Click Links or Open Attachments: They could contain malware that can harm your device.
• Do Not Reply: Avoid engaging with the sender.
• Verify the Message: If it seems important, contact the company directly using official contact information, not the details provided in the email.
• Check the Sender’s Email Address: Click on the sender’s name to see their actual email address and confirm it’s legitimate.
• Protect Your Accounts: Consider changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for added security.