Ledger, known for its widely used hardware wallets in the crypto space, announced on Monday that a significant amount of customer data was compromised due to a breach associated with its third-party e-commerce partner, Global-e, sparking renewed anxiety within the crypto community.
Although Ledger stated that private keys, wallet funds, and payment details were not exposed, the breach did reveal user names and contact information for those who bought devices through its online shop, reigniting ongoing concerns regarding recurring data breaches and their potential real-world implications.
Shortly after the revelation, users reported a spike in phishing emails and scam attempts. Fraudsters mimicking Ledger or Global-e support are seemingly leveraging the leaked information to coerce recipients into disclosing sensitive data.
This marks another instance of a data breach for Ledger. In 2020, the platform suffered a significant breach that affected nearly 300,000 users. In 2021, scam artists sent counterfeit Ledger hardware wallets to users following the phishing incidents.
Security experts caution that similar schemes following previous Ledger breaches have resulted in wallet takeovers, financial losses, and, in some cases, heightened risks of physical targeting through “wrench attacks.”
Ledger’s recent data exposure prompts urgent inquiries about who is vulnerable and what steps users can realistically take to safeguard themselves.
Who is at risk?
Experts in security indicate that the risk isn’t restricted to those whose data was compromised. Anyone identified as a hardware wallet owner could become a target for phishing or social engineering, irrespective of whether their details feature in a leaked database.
“If you are part of the leak, the risk is amplified, making you a marked target,” said Ouriel Ohayon, CEO of Zengo Wallet and a wallet security expert, in an interview with CoinDesk.
Specific types of leaked information elevate an individual’s risk profile significantly. Alexander Urbelis, Chief Information Security Officer of , highlighted that physical address information is especially sensitive. A “home address within a compromised dataset linked to a hardware wallet,” he noted, “increases the risk level for those individuals.”
What does the Ledger-targeted phishing attack look like right now?
Users have noted receiving unsolicited emails claiming to be from Ledger support, even if they do not possess a Ledger wallet. Experts assert that attackers often depend less on technical exploits and more on psychological manipulation.
“The most effective phishing scams are confidence-based: they exploit trust and time constraints, rather than just code,” Urbelis explained. “They initiate by affirming your trust through your real name and authentic order details, then switch to fear and urgency with messages like ‘security alert’ or ‘replacement device’ compelling immediate action.”
These communications, he added, are increasingly sent “via SMS or as persuasive unsolicited ‘support’ calls,” not limited to email.
What can be done to protect yourself?
Experts stress that no genuine company will ever request a recovery phrase—and that receiving unsolicited contact should itself serve as a warning.
“Definitely, never share your seed phrase with anyone. Ever,” stated Ohayon of Zengo. He also advised users to always confirm the true sender of an email and be cautious about responding to “unsolicited DMs, or customer support messages received through unofficial channels (emails, messaging apps, or even physical letters).”
Do you have to move funds or change wallets?
Both experts advised against making hasty decisions to move funds in response to panic. Transferring funds does not necessarily mitigate risk and could introduce new threats if users act impulsively.
“Once you are identified as a wallet owner, it doesn’t matter where the crypto resides. You, rather than the wallet itself, are the target,” Ohayon remarked. He added that shifting funds could be counterproductive because “any transfer would be public, and hackers would follow the trail.”
Urbelis reiterated this caution, warning that hurriedly moving assets can make users vulnerable to well-timed phishing schemes.
“I wouldn’t suggest rushing to transfer funds, as that could lead to falling prey to an opportunistic phishing attack,” he observed. “Offchain leaks like this pose phishing risks, so individuals should proceed with heightened caution when dealing with emails, SMS messages, voicemails, calls, etc., in the near future.”
He added that onchain activities should be limited to clear evidence of compromise: “If a user inspects an account and observes unusual actions, then it’s time to act onchain.”
Protecting your privacy is key
Experts suggest that maintaining privacy is the strongest long-term defense. Ohayon urged users to be cautious about how much they disclose about themselves, both in the digital realm and in person.
“Safeguard your privacy at all costs. Avoid being public about what you own or do,” he advised. “Hackers seek out public indicators of your potential wealth or cryptocurrency holdings.”
Urbelis framed the threat as one fundamentally reliant on human error.
“Our minds serve as the best defense against fraud: take your time, question the narrative, and verify the source before clicking or engaging,” he stated. “Only after that comes the cardinal rule of cryptocurrency security: never, under any circumstance, share your recovery phrase.”
Read more: Crypto wallet firm Ledger faces customer data breach through payment processor Global-e
