In recent years, crypto wallets like MetaMask have become quite popular for managing cryptocurrencies and interacting with decentralized apps. However, the growing use of crypto wallets has also led to an increase in scams targeting unsuspecting users. One such scam involves phishing emails pretending to be from MetaMask and asking users to verify their wallets to avoid suspension.
This article will provide an in-depth look at how the MetaMask wallet verification scam works, including a step-by-step breakdown of the process used by scammers. We’ll also explore what you should do if you receive one of these fraudulent emails or accidentally provide sensitive information. Forewarned is forearmed against such crafty phishing techniques.
Image: Fake MetaMask site
Scam Overview: Anatomy of the MetaMask Wallet Verification Email Scam
The MetaMask wallet verification scam starts with an email pretending to be from MetaMask. The email subject line will be something like “Your MetaMask wallet will be suspended!” or “Verify your MetaMask wallet now.”
The body of the scam email claims that MetaMask requires users to verify their wallets due to a system update or policy change. It states that wallets that remain unverified will be suspended or face restrictions. This creates a sense of urgency to click on the link and provide sensitive information.
Some versions of the scam email include:
A “MetaMask Case ID” to make the email appear more legitimate
Fake corporate branding elements like the MetaMask logo
Threats of account suspension or legal action for non-compliance
Deadlines like “Verify within 24 hours” to rush victims
The scam email concludes by directing victims to click a link or button to “verify their wallet.” This button is branded to precisely resemble MetaMask’s design and style. But it actually leads to a fake phishing site controlled by the scammers.
How the MetaMask Wallet Verification Scam Works
The MetaMask wallet verification scam is quite sinister in its execution. Let’s break it down step-by-step to see how scammers exploit trusting users:
Step 1: Sending the Phishing Email
Scammers obtain email lists through various illegal methods like hacking sites or purchasing stolen data. They send the phishing email to thousands of potential victims simultaneously.
The email is designed to instill urgency in the reader to verify their wallet to avoid losing access to their funds. The branding and official look give it credibility.
Here is how a scam email might look:
Subject: Your MetaMask wallet will be suspended!
MetaMask
Dear customer, Our system has shown that your Metamask has not yet been verified. This verification can be done easily on the page below. Due to the new update of NFT’s & Coins, all unverified accounts will be suspended on [date]We’re sorry for any inconvenience we cause with this, but please keep in mind that our intention is to keep our customers safe and happy.
VERIFY MY WALLET
Step 2: Victims Click on the Fraudulent Link
If the recipient does not identify the email as a scam, they will click on the “Verify My Wallet” link or button embedded in the message.
The link directs them to a fake website that impersonates the real MetaMask login page. This fraudulent site looks identical to the legitimate MetaMask site.
Step 3: Entering Credentials on the Phishing Site
On the phishing site, victims will see a screen asking them to connect their wallet to verify their identity. To do so, they will need to enter their 12 or 24-word recovery phrase.
If victims provide their secret recovery phrase here, the scammers immediately gain full access to the victim’s funds and crypto assets stored in that MetaMask wallet.
Step 4: Draining the Wallet
Once scammers have the recovery phrase, they can quickly drain the victim’s MetaMask wallet by transferring all tokens and assets to an account they control.
Within minutes, the victim’s wallet will show a balance of zero. At this point, it is usually too late to recover the stolen cryptocurrency.
Step 5: Eliminating Traces
Scammers cover their tracks by disabling any email or phone notifications from the compromised MetaMask account. This delays victims realizing their wallet was drained.
They also immediately transfer the stolen crypto assets through mixer services to hide the transactions. This makes the stolen funds almost impossible to recover or trace.
What to Do If You Fall Victim to the MetaMask Wallet Verification Scam
If you receive an email about verifying your MetaMask wallet, do not click any links or provide sensitive information. However, if you have already fallen prey to this scam, here are some steps to take right away:
Step 1: Disconnect Compromised Wallet – Open your MetaMask browser extension and click the three dots at the top right. Choose “Settings” and disconnect the compromised wallet. This will prevent further losses.
Step 2: Transfer Funds from Other Linked Wallets – If you have other wallets linked to the scammed MetaMask account, transfer those funds immediately to a brand new and secure wallet.
Step 3: Reset MetaMask Extension – Completely reset your MetaMask extension to generate a new seed phrase and remove any malicious code. Follow MetaMask’s help guide for steps.
Step 4: Contact MetaMask Support – Reach out to MetaMask’s support team via email or live chat to notify them your account was compromised. They may help you recover funds.
Step 5: Report Scam – File reports with the FTC and IC3 to notify authorities about this scam operation. The more reports, the better chances of bringing the scammers to justice.
Step 6: Monitor Crypto Transactions – Use a blockchain explorer tool to monitor the stolen crypto’s transactions. This data may help identify the scammer’s wallet address for law enforcement.
Step 7: Secure Other Accounts – Change passwords on all other crypto exchange and web accounts to protect against further attacks. Enable 2FA wherever possible.
Is Your Device Infected? Scan for Malware
If your computer or phone is slow, showing unwanted pop-ups, or acting strangely, malware could be the cause. Running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is one of the most reliable ways to detect and remove harmful software. The free version can identify and clean common infections such as adware, browser hijackers, trojans, and other unwanted programs.
Malwarebytes works on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to scan your device and remove any malware that might be slowing it down.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows using the official link below. Malwarebytes will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software for free.
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Install Malwarebytes
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Once the scan completes, remove all detected threats. Your Windows computer should now be clean and running smoothly again, free of trojans, adware, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
After scanning, delete any detected threats. Your Mac should now be free from adware, unwanted extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
When the scan is finished, remove all detected threats. Your Android phone should now be free of malicious apps, adware, and unwanted browser redirects.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
After cleaning your device, it’s important to protect it from future infections and annoying pop-ups. We recommend installing an ad blocker such as AdGuard. AdGuard blocks malicious ads, prevents phishing attempts, and stops dangerous redirects, helping you stay safe while browsing online.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MetaMask Wallet Verification Scam
1. What is the MetaMask wallet verification scam?
The MetaMask wallet verification scam is a phishing attack where scammers send fake emails pretending to be from MetaMask. The emails claim your wallet is not verified and must be verified immediately to avoid suspension. The emails contain links to phishing sites that steal your recovery phrase and drain your funds.
2. How do I recognize a MetaMask wallet verification scam email?
These scam emails have subjects like “Verify your MetaMask now!” They claim your wallet faces restrictions or suspension without immediate verification. The emails have urgency and threats to trick you into acting. They contain a “Verify My Wallet” link to a fake phishing site. Real MetaMask emails never ask for your phrase.
3. What happens if I click the link in the scam email?
The link leads to a fake website impersonating the real MetaMask login page. If you enter your recovery phrase here, scammers gain full access to your wallet and can steal your crypto assets.
4. What should I do if I entered my phrase into a phishing site?
If you provided your recovery phrase, disconnect the compromised wallet immediately. Transfer funds from linked wallets to a brand new secure wallet. Reset your MetaMask extension and contact their support team. Report the scam to authorities to help warn others.
5. How can I keep my MetaMask wallet safe from this scam?
Never click unverified links in emails asking you to verify wallets or provide sensitive details. MetaMask will never message you to share recovery phrases. Use strong unique passwords and enable 2FA. Get a hardware wallet for maximum security.
6. What precautions does MetaMask take against phishing scams?
MetaMask continually enhances email and site security to prevent phishing. They use analytics to detect and shut down reported scam sites quickly. Their browser extension has anti-phishing measures. Enable these for warnings if visiting suspicious sites.
7. How can I identify a fake MetaMask login page?
Fake pages use “metamask[.]com” instead of the real “metamask.io” site. They may have spelling errors or look slightly different. Enter your phrase only at metamask.io after accessing it directly.
8. Are there other MetaMask scams I should watch out for?
Yes, be wary of fake MetaMask browser extensions, recovery scams asking for your phrase to fix issues, fake customer support numbers, calls about “locked wallets,” suspicious DMs, and more.
9. Where can I report MetaMask scams?
Report phishing emails to phishing@metamask.io. Report scam sites at https://metamask.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new. You can also report to the FTC.
10. How can I recover funds lost to the verification scam?
Unfortunately recovery is very difficult. You can try contacting MetaMask support for help tracing transactions. Monitor the blockchain to identify the scammer’s wallet for law enforcement. Use the experience to raise awareness to prevent others being scammed.
The Bottom Line
The MetaMask wallet verification phishing scam highlights the need for constant vigilance when managing cryptocurrencies. Scammers are experts at social engineering and will try every trick to steal your crypto assets.
To avoid falling victim, be wary of unsolicited emails asking you to verify wallets or provide sensitive details. MetaMask will never message you to share recovery phrases or personal information.
Use secure passwords, two-factor authentication, and a hardware wallet to keep your MetaMask account and crypto safe. But even with precautions, clever scams can still sneak past defenses. Stay skeptical of every request and double check links before clicking.
With crypto scams on the rise, only savvy security practices will help protect you from stealthy phishing attacks. Spread awareness about such scams so fewer users fall prey. Stay cyber informed and keep your cryptocurrency secure against the relentless threats of crypto-crime.
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
