The safety of our users’ assets is always our top priority. While Bybit continuously strengthens its security systems, P2P traders themselves are the first line of defense against fraud. As scammers are constantly inventing new tricks, it is crucial to be aware of the most common scam tactics when engaging in P2P transactions in order to protect yourself from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

1. Common P2P Scam Types & How to Stay Safe

2. General Tips to Protect Yourself

3. What to Do If You Think You've Been Scammed

Common P2P Scam Types & How to Stay Safe

Here are some common types of P2P Crypto Scams to be aware of:

General Tips to Protect Yourself

1. Always verify payments directly from your account or wallet before releasing crypto.
2. Check that the counterparty’s identity matches their verified Bybit profile.
3. Use Bybit’s chat only — never use Telegram, WhatsApp, or other apps.
4. Record evidence (screenshots, transaction IDs, chat logs).
5. Don’t rush or panic — scammers often use fear or urgency.
6. Appeal immediately if something feels off.
7. Stay informed — scam tactics evolve constantly.

What to Do If You Think You've Been Scammed

Scams can happen to anyone, and it's normal to feel stressed or unsure about what to do next. If you suspect fraudulent activity, follow these steps as soon as possible to navigate the situation safely:

Step 1: Stop All Actions Immediately

Pause all communication with the other party. Do not send any more payments, transfer crypto, or continue the trade. Stopping immediately helps prevent further loss and gives you time to act safely.

Step 2: Collect and Save All Evidence

Documentation is critical for your case. Gather the following:

1. Take a screen recording of all conversations with your counterparty, including any off-platform communication (WhatsApp, Telegram, email, or other channels) if it was used.
2. Capture the counterparty's details: username, phone number, and payment account information.
3. Save payment receipts with transaction reference numbers and make sure related order information is included.

The clearer and more complete your evidence is, the faster we can verify it and assist you. Sometimes we receive fake or incomplete proofs, which slows down investigations - so providing detailed, verifiable information helps us identify the real situation.

Step 3: Contact Bybit Support and Submit an Appeal

File an appeal as soon as possible through the Bybit platform and select the reason that best corresponds to your case. Click on Get Help to receive the guidelines and consult the article How to Submit an Appeal for Your P2P Order to get a step-by-step guide on P2P appeal submission.

Upload all relevant evidence, as this helps the team quickly understand and resolve the issue. If you cannot submit an appeal through the order page, you can contact Bybit Support via Live Chat by clicking the icon at the bottom right corner of any Bybit page. Alternatively, you can submit your case following this link.

Step 4: Understand the Possible Outcome

Bybit will carefully review your appeal based on the evidence you provide. If your proof is valid and clearly demonstrates the issue, the P2P team will take appropriate action and guide you on the next steps.

However, it’s important to understand the following:

1. Recovering lost assets can be very challenging. In many cases, scammers operate as highly trained professionals, and sometimes even as part of organized groups. Their actions are meticulously planned in advance, allowing them to move assets long before the victim realizes they have been scammed. They also tend to be very familiar with platform procedures and the limitations that arise when only limited evidence is available.
2. Transactions that occur outside the Bybit platform - such as payments made through third-party apps, external wallets, or unofficial channels - are sometimes impossible to recover and reimbursement cannot be guaranteed.
3. Any delay in reporting the issue or submitting incomplete, unclear, or unverifiable evidence can further reduce the chances of a successful intervention.

To improve the likelihood of resolution, please submit your appeal as soon as possible and ensure all evidence is clear, complete, and verifiable. Bybit will always do its best to assist you when valid proof is provided.

Step 5: Strengthen Your Security and Trading Practices

Learn from this experience to protect yourself in the future:

1. Double-check all payment and account details before trading;
2. Only trade through official Bybit channels, and follow the P2P trading rules carefully.
3. Use Bybit's security features, like 2FA, and never share sensitive information with others. For more information please consult this guide.
4. Stay informed about common scam tactics to prevent future issues.
5. Use the reporting function, which helps you quickly report scammers or any suspicious activity on Bybit P2P.

Step 6: Take Care of Your Emotional Well-being

Being scammed can be upsetting or overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that it is not your fault. Fraudsters use sophisticated tactics and you should give yourself time to process what happened. Your well-being matters just as much as resolving the issue so avoid blaming yourself, and know that Bybit is fully committed to protecting our users.

As P2P crypto scams can occur, we work closely with dedicated risk management and security teams to monitor activity, and respond quickly to any suspicious behavior. While we continuously strengthen our systems and protection measures, the most effective defense is user awareness.

Be aware that numerous types of P2P crypto scams exist, and new ones continue to emerge. For more information, please visit here. You can also ensure to keep your account secure by visiting this page.