Beware: FTX Phishing and Scam Warnings
FTX creditors have been targeted by an increasing number of sophisticated scams since the bankruptcy proceedings began. This guide will help you identify and protect yourself from fraudulent schemes.
Common FTX-Related Scams to Watch For
1. Phishing Emails
Scammers send emails pretending to be from FTX, Kroll, or related entities requesting:
- Wallet access or cryptocurrency transfers
- Login credentials for the claims portal
- Personal information under the guise of "KYC verification"
- Payment to "expedite" your claim processing
Red Flags:
- Email domains that mimic official ones (e.g.,
ftx-claims.com,ftx-recovery.com) - Poor grammar or unprofessional formatting
- Urgent requests requiring immediate action
- Offers that seem too good to be true
2. Fake Claims Portals
Fraudulent websites that mimic the official FTX claims portal:
- May look nearly identical to the official site
- Designed to steal your login credentials
- Often have slightly misspelled URLs (e.g.,
clalms.ftx.comwith an "l" instead of "i")
Red Flags:
- URLs that don't exactly match
https://claims.ftx.com - Missing security indicators in your browser
- Requests for more information than the legitimate portal
- Unusual payment options or crypto wallet connection requests
3. "Recovery Assistance" Scams
Third parties offering to help recover your funds for an upfront fee or percentage:
- Claim to have "insider connections" to accelerate your claim
- Offer unrealistic guarantees about recovery amounts
- Request payment before delivering any service
Red Flags:
- Guarantees of specific recovery amounts
- Requests for upfront payment
- No verifiable business registration or credentials
- Pressure tactics to act quickly
4. Impersonation Calls
Scammers calling and pretending to be FTX representatives:
- May have some basic information about you to seem legitimate
- Request personal information or payment details
- Create artificial urgency about your claim
Red Flags:
- Unexpected calls about your FTX claim
- Requests for immediate decisions or payments
- Reluctance to provide official contact information for verification
5. Fraudulent Distribution Offers
Schemes offering to buy your claim at a fraction of its value:
- Significantly below-market offers for an "immediate payout"
- Requirements for upfront fees to process the transaction
- False claims about official FTX endorsement
Red Flags:
- Offers well below current market rates for FTX claims
- Requirements for upfront payment or access
- Claims of being an "official" FTX partner without verification
Recent Scam Examples (May 2024)
Fake KYC Email Campaign
Description: Widespread phishing campaign claiming KYC verification is required "immediately" to receive distributions.
How it works: Emails contain a convincing but fake FTX-branded form requesting:
- Photo ID uploads
- Selfie with the ID
- Bank account details
- Crypto wallet addresses
Protection: FTX only conducts KYC through the official claims portal. No legitimate KYC process requires your crypto wallet addresses.
Claims Purchase Scam
Description: Cold calls and emails offering to "purchase" claims at 25-30% of value with an initial deposit required.
How it works: Scammers request a "verification deposit" of 1-5% of your claim value to "prove ownership" before purchase.
Protection: Legitimate claims purchasers never require upfront payments or deposits.
How to Protect Yourself
Verify All Communications
- Check sender email addresses carefully
- Independently visit
https://claims.ftx.comrather than clicking links - Verify any communication through the official FTX website at
https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/FTX/
Use Strong Security Practices
- Enable two-factor authentication on your claims portal account
- Use a unique, strong password for your FTX claims account
- Never share your login credentials
- Be cautious with any document uploads
Report Suspicious Activity
If you encounter a suspected scam:
- Do not engage with the sender
- Forward suspicious emails to
security@ftx.com - Report websites to Google's Safe Browsing at
https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/ - Document any suspicious phone calls or interactions
Check Official Sources Regularly
Stay informed through official channels:
Recent Official Warnings
The FTX Debtors and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors have issued several warnings about increased scam activity, notably:
- April 2024: Warning about false "distribution acceleration" emails
- March 2024: Alert about fake KYC platforms targeting creditors
- February 2024: Warning about impersonation calls from supposed "FTX recovery specialists"
Final Reminder
FTX, Kroll, and their representatives will:
- NEVER ask for cryptocurrency transfers
- NEVER request payment to process your claim
- NEVER ask for your portal password
- NEVER conduct business through non-official channels
- NEVER ask you to download unauthorized software
If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and verify through official channels before taking any action. Your vigilance is your best protection against FTX-related scams.