“Your Binance API has been paired with Ledger Live. If this was NOT you, call [phone number] immediately.“
Have you received a similar text message, supposedly from Binance, warning that your account has just been linked to a third-party service you don’t recognize? At first glance, it looks very real – especially since it may appear in the same SMS thread as your genuine Binance verification codes. But make no mistake: this is certainly a scam.
If you call the provided phone number, a so-called “support agent” on the other end will likely offer to “help” you, but their real intention will be to drain your wallet or gain unauthorized access to your account. But how could this be a scam if the message comes from “Binance” itself? And how can you verify the legitimacy of these messages? Let’s break down how this tactic works and what you can do to protect yourself.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Just Google It
When we received this suspicious SMS, the first thing we did was copy and paste the message into a Google search. We found numerous Reddit threads and online forums where users reported receiving the exact same message, all warning each other that it was a scam. In some cases, the phone number didn’t match the user’s country, raising obvious red flags.
Scammers tend to cast a wide net, sending the same fraudulent messages to as many people as possible. If it’s a scam, you’re rarely alone. The collective warnings and testimonials from other victims online strongly suggest that any message like this should be treated with caution.
Step 2: Binance Verification Tool
Binance provides an official verification tool where you can enter a website URL, phone number, email address, or other contact information to confirm if it’s genuinely associated with them. When we submitted the suspicious phone number from our SMS, it didn’t pass this verification check – proving that it wasn’t legitimate.
We’ve also tested this tool in the past, when we were added to fake “Binance Academy” WhatsApp group. The verification tool helped us confirm whether the contact was legitimate or not.
Step 3: Contact Binance Support Directly
If you’re still unsure, the safest approach is to log into your official Binance app or website and initiate a support request directly. There’s no shame in double-checking. In our case, before even speaking to a support agent, we found a prominent warning in the official help center about this exact scam.
The key is to make sure you contact Binance (or any other company) through their verified channels. Do not use the phone number or link provided in a suspicious message. Instead, go to the official website or use the official app, then navigate to support or live chat from there.
How Can a Fake SMS Appear as “Binance”?
One of the most puzzling aspects of these scams is that the fraudulent SMS sometimes appears in the same thread as your genuine Binance verification codes. How is that possible?
This trick leverages a well-known vulnerability in phone and SMS systems, commonly referred to as “spoofing.” Here’s a simple explanation of how it works:
- Legitimate verification codes from Binance often show the sender as “Binance” rather than a standard phone number. You’ve likely seen this with other companies too.
- Scammers can manipulate their caller ID to make their messages appear as if they’re coming from Binance. Your phone doesn’t verify the authenticity of the displayed name – it simply groups messages with the same sender label into one conversation.
Because your phone can’t distinguish between a real Binance sender ID and a forged one, both genuine and fake messages get lumped together, creating a dangerous illusion of authenticity.
Impersonation Is Not Limited to Names
In our case, the scammers were displayed as “Binance”. But they can also display as other phone number! We know of cases where people received phone calls appearing to come from their bank’s official helpline number listed on Google. The scenario is the same: a malicious actor using spoofing tools to trick the recipient.
How to verify if the caller is real? Here’s one easy trick:
- Tell them you’ll call them back and hang up.
- Manually dial the number of the caller.
- Since you entered the number youself, you will connect with the real institution.
Conclusion
Receiving a suspicious SMS, even one that seems to come from a trusted source, should immediately raise your guard. Scammers thrive on panic, painting scary scenarios to pressure you into making rash decisions. Before you react out of fear, pause and think – could this message truly be legitimate?
Something as simple as a quick Google search can reveal if others have encountered a similar scam, potentially saving you from costly mistakes. Stay calm, verify the information, and proceed only when you’re certain it’s safe.
