TalkScams Team — educational discussion
A seller demands cryptocurrency for an ordinary purchase — warning signs and safety checks
TalkScams Team discussion starter — an educational scam scenario, not a victim account.
What is the scam pattern?
A social-media merchant may insist that payment be sent only by cryptocurrency, gift card or wire transfer instead of a protected checkout. Those methods are much harder to reverse if the item never arrives.
Warning signs to recognize
1. The seller refuses credit cards or normal protected payment options.
2. The seller's identity and payment protections cannot be verified
How to check or protect yourself
1. Choose a payment method with buyer protection or leave the transaction.
2. Retain receipts and report suspicious merchants to the marketplace or FTC
Discuss with the community
How would you verify the seller, payment method and return policy before buying?
Original government advisory: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/11/how-avoid-online-shopping-scam-holiday-season