🚨 Beware: What to Do If Someone Sends You Random Tokens
Despite being a Bitcoin-only business, this is honestly the most common question I get, so I figured I’d create this guide for the inevitable future client that faces the same problem…
You just opened your wallet — Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, or another self-custody app — and noticed a bunch of random, strange-looking tokens you never bought. Maybe they’re called things like $LUIGI, $FreeETH, or something trying to mimic a real coin.
So… what now? Are they free money? Should you trade them? Burn them? Delete them?
Short answer: Don’t touch them.
Long answer: Read this guide.
🚩 Why You’re Getting Random Tokens
Scammers often reach out to victims for a wallet address to then send out “airdrop” tokens as part of a larger trap. These tokens usually:
Have no value
Come with suspicious names
Are designed to trick you into interacting with them
It’s called a phishing scam via token approval — and it's especially effective on mobile wallets like Coinbase Wallet.
🧨 What Happens If You Interact with Them
Here’s how the scam works:
A scammer sends you junk tokens.
You try to swap or remove them using the wallet’s built-in trading tools.
This prompts a signature or approval request — which seems routine.
You approve it, unknowingly giving the scammer permission to spend your ETH or tokens.
Your wallet gets drained shortly after.
Receiving tokens doesn’t hurt you.
Interacting with them can.
✅ What to Do Instead
If you see unfamiliar tokens in your wallet:
Leave them alone. Don’t try to trade, burn, or hide them using “clean up” tools from unverified sites.
Do NOT sign any approval or trade requests involving those tokens.
Check for any existing token approvals using:
Etherscan Token Approval Checker
Revoke any approvals to contracts you don’t recognize.
If you think you already approved something shady, move your remaining assets to a fresh wallet immediately.
🔐 The Safer Way to Handle It
Just ignore them. Seriously. They’ll clutter your wallet view, but they’re harmless as long as you don’t interact. Think of them like spam emails — annoying, but only dangerous if you click.
Final Thought
Getting random tokens might seem exciting — but in most cases, they’re a trick.
Stay cautious, be skeptical, and always know what you're signing in your wallet.
If you're ever unsure, reach out to someone you trust or reach out to me via the website.
Stay safe!
