I’m sharing this because it’s a lesson I learned the hard way—never click on links without double-checking their source, especially when it comes to anything related to crypto. A few weeks ago, I received an email that looked like it was from a well-known crypto exchange I’ve been using for years. The email said that my account had been compromised and that I needed to reset my password immediately to secure it.

The email looked incredibly real. It had the right logo, professional language, and even a warning about the importance of account security. It contained a link that I was supposed to click to reset my password. I almost did it without thinking twice, but then something about the URL looked off—it wasn’t the exact web address I was familiar with. Instead of clicking, I decided to open the exchange’s official website directly and log in.

To my surprise, there was no warning on my account, and everything seemed perfectly normal. That’s when I realized the email was a phishing attempt. If I had clicked the link and entered my login details, I could have given scammers direct access to my account. I later found out that these phishing emails are becoming more common, especially as crypto becomes more mainstream.

It’s terrifying to think how close I came to losing everything. Now, I always take a second to verify any message I receive, even if it seems to come from a trusted source. If you ever get an email or message asking you to click a link to fix a problem with your account, don’t do it—always go directly to the official website instead. Keep yourself safe and keep others safe by sharing this type of story whenever you can. A little caution can go a long way in preventing a disaster.