Common C2C Scams and Prevention Below are the most common types of C2C scams. Please stay vigilant and take the necessary precautions.

1. The "Fake Screenshot" Scam Scammers often use edited or photoshopped screenshots to claim they have paid. Their goal is to trick you into releasing your crypto before the money actually arrives.

The Risk: If you release assets without checking your bank account, your funds may be irretrievable.

How to Protect Yourself:

Check Your Bank App: Always log in to your actual bank or e-wallet to verify the money has arrived.
Ignore the Screenshot: Never release assets based only on a photo sent in the chat. Screenshots are not proof.

2. SMS Spoofing Risk Scammers send fake text messages that look exactly like official bank alerts. The message says "Payment Received," but the money hasn't actually arrived.

How to Protect Yourself:

Texts Can Be Faked: Never trust a text message alone. Scammers can easily copy the bank's name and format.
Check the App: Always open your banking app to see if your balance has actually increased. If the app doesn't show the money, The SMS is fraudulent.

3.The "Chargeback" Trap Some payment methods (like cheques or PayPal) allow the buyer to cancel the payment even after you receive it. Scammers will pay you, wait for you to release the crypto, and then ask their bank to refund the money.

How to Protect Yourself:

Check the Name: The name on the bank transfer must match exactly with the verified name on ETZ.
No Third-Party Payments: Never accept payment from someone else's account (like a "friend" or "company"). If the name doesn't match, it's a huge risk.
Refund Suspicious Money: If you receive money from a wrong name, send it back to the original account immediately and file an appeal.

Other High-Risk Scams

4. Man-in-the-Middle Scam

Scammers pose as legit merchants on apps like Telegram or WhatsApp. They send you a link to a C2C order and trick you into pasting their bank details into the ETZ chat to fake a "payment confirmation."

The Trap: They lure you off-platform to confuse you. You end up releasing crypto to the wrong person while sending money to the scammer.

How to Protect Yourself:
- Stay on ETZ: Reject all invites to trade off-platform. Refuse any requests to communicate on external platforms (e.g., Telegram).
- Official Chat Only: Keep all conversation strictly inside the ETZ C2C chat window.
- Stop & Report: If a buyer asks you to pay via a third-party account, cancel the trade and report them immediately.

5. The "Triangle" Scam (Triangulation Fraud) The Trick: Two scammers work together against you.

The Setup: Scammer A orders 5,000 USDT. Scammer B orders 6,000 USDT.
The Swap: Scammer B transfers the funds, but Scammer A marks the order as 'Paid' on ETZ.
The Trap: If you only check the amount (5,000) and ignore the name, you might release the crypto to the wrong person (Scammer A).
How to Protect Yourself:
- Match the Name (Crucial): The name on the bank transfer must match the name on the order exactly. This is the #1 way to spot this scam.
- Check Each Order: Verify every single transaction separately. Don't mix them up.
- Duplicate Proofs: If two different buyers send you the same payment screenshot, stop immediately.

6. The "Fake Staff" Scam Scammers pretend to be ETZ support via fake emails or social media. They might even intervene in the chat and claim you need to pay a fee or do an "internal transfer" to unfreeze your order.

How to Protect Yourself:

Note Before you transfer any money, ensure the bank account name matches the verified name on ETZ exactly. If it doesn't match, STOP.

Avoiding Common C2C Scams

Avoiding Common C2C Scams