What is the pre-activated wallet scam?

Vendors on third-party e-commerce sites sell hardware wallets that have already been set up, with private keys or access codes generated before the sale. Whoever activated the device first retains access to the wallet, so anything you deposit can be stolen. Tangem never offers devices with pre-generated keys or access codes.

How can you tell a Tangem wallet was tampered with?

The telltale sign is an 'initialization password' included with the device: Tangem Wallets never come with one. A legitimate, unused box contains only the 2 or 3 cards, a getting started leaflet, and a specifications sheet, and the app prompts you to create a new wallet when you scan a clean card.

Is it safe to buy a Tangem wallet from marketplaces like Amazon?

Genuine Tangem cards ship without private keys, and the app verifies authenticity when you scan them, so a clean device is safe wherever bought. The danger is sellers offering 'pre-configured' devices or ones with a password already set: treat any such offer as unsafe, anywhere in the world.

What should you do if you receive an activated wallet?

Reset it to factory settings and set it up yourself, so new keys are generated under your control. Then report the seller to the marketplace, contact Tangem support with your order details and photos, and file a complaint with local authorities and your payment provider.

Crypto wallet

Scam Alert: How to Identify and Avoid Pre-Activated Wallets

Some sellers are offering pre-activated wallets—a global scam that puts your crypto at risk.

สามารถอ่านบทความนี้ได้ในภาษาต่อไปนี้:

Patrick Dike-Ndulue • 3 ต.ค. 2568

How to tell clean vs pre-activated wallets
What to do if you buy an activated wallet

Be cautious of a scam where vendors sell activated Tangem hardware wallets on third-party e-commerce sites. Although many of these listings originate from sellers in Asia, similar scams are occurring in Europe, the Americas, and other regions.

Remember, Tangem does not offer devices with pre-generated private keys or access codes. If a seller says otherwise, they likely set it up first to access the wallet themselves.

How to tell clean vs pre-activated wallets

A legitimate, unused Tangem wallet comes with the following items in the box:

Tangem Cards – 2 or 3 cards, depending on your chosen kit.
Getting Started Guide – step-by-step instructions to set up your wallet safely.
Specifications Sheet – details about the wallet, supported tokens, and technical info.

Pre-activated Tangem Wallet

A pre-activated or tampered Tangem wallet have an "initialization password" as shown in the image above. Tangem Wallets never come with an initialization password.

What to do if you buy an activated wallet

Reset the wallet to factory settings and set it up yourself.
Report the seller to the marketplace where you bought the device
Contact Tangem support with order details and photos.
File a complaint with local authorities and your payment provider.

A hardware wallet only protects you when you alone control the keys. Anything sold as “pre-configured” or with a password already set is unsafe. The scam is global, so treat such offers as dangerous anywhere you shop online.

Pre-activated wallet scam FAQ

Vendors on third-party e-commerce sites sell hardware wallets that have already been set up, with private keys or access codes generated before the sale. Whoever activated the device first retains access to the wallet, so anything you deposit can be stolen. Tangem never offers devices with pre-generated keys or access codes.
The telltale sign is an 'initialization password' included with the device: Tangem Wallets never come with one. A legitimate, unused box contains only the 2 or 3 cards, a getting started leaflet, and a specifications sheet, and the app prompts you to create a new wallet when you scan a clean card.
Genuine Tangem cards ship without private keys, and the app verifies authenticity when you scan them, so a clean device is safe wherever bought. The danger is sellers offering 'pre-configured' devices or ones with a password already set: treat any such offer as unsafe, anywhere in the world.
Reset it to factory settings and set it up yourself, so new keys are generated under your control. Then report the seller to the marketplace, contact Tangem support with your order details and photos, and file a complaint with local authorities and your payment provider.