Before you send Bitcoin, compare the full receiving address with a trusted source, then check the destination, amount and fee in your wallet’s final confirmation screen. After sending, save the transaction ID (TXID) and use it to check whether the transaction was broadcast and how many confirmations it has. An address can look legitimate and still belong to the wrong person, so do not rely on a partial address match.
Verify the recipient before entering or scanning an address
Get the receiving address through a channel you already trust, such as a known contact or a fresh invoice from the recipient. If payment instructions change unexpectedly, pause and contact the recipient through an established channel—not by replying to the message that supplied the new address.
Compare the entire address, character by character, with that trusted source. Bitcoin.org warns that address-poisoning scams can place a lookalike address in transaction history so a sender may copy it later. Use a trusted saved contact or independently confirm the recipient details instead of choosing a similar-looking entry from history. Bitcoin.org’s scam guidance advises checking the entire address.
A QR code is only a way to input payment details; it does not establish who controls the address. After scanning, inspect the address and any amount shown by your wallet before proceeding. Bitcoin.org explains QR codes as a way to receive a payment.
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Check the transaction in your wallet before approving it
- Destination: Compare every character shown by the wallet with the trusted receiving address. A first-and-last-character check alone is not enough.
- Network and address format: Confirm that the payment type or network matches the recipient’s instructions. Wallets and services vary in the address formats they support; investigate a compatibility warning rather than overriding it. Bitcoin.org notes that wallet features and address-format support vary.
- Amount and fee: Confirm both before signing or broadcasting. Bitcoin transaction fees relate to transaction data size, not simply the payment amount, and wallets vary in fee controls. Bitcoin.org explains transaction fees and other points to know before using Bitcoin.
- Final prompt: Review the wallet’s final transaction details. Cancel if the displayed destination, amount or fee differs from what you intend to send. Bitcoin.org recommends reviewing each transaction prompt. See its guidance on avoiding scams.
For a new recipient or a substantial payment, consider sending a small test transaction first and waiting for the recipient to confirm receipt before sending the rest. A test payment is an extra safeguard, not a substitute for checking the full address. Bitcoin.org’s FAQ recommends considering a test transaction for an unfamiliar destination or large transfer.
What a hardware wallet can—and cannot—verify
A hardware wallet can keep signing isolated from an internet-connected computer; a device with a suitable display may also let you review transaction details before signing. Check the destination displayed on the device itself. A hardware wallet does not establish whether the recipient is trustworthy or whether the address belongs to the person you intend to pay. Bitcoin.org describes hardware wallets as one security option and notes that wallet capabilities vary. Learn about securing a Bitcoin wallet.
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Check whether your Bitcoin transaction was broadcast and confirmed
- Save the TXID. After sending, copy the transaction ID shown by your wallet.
- Look up the transaction. Check it in your wallet or use a blockchain explorer that supports Bitcoin. An explorer reports what its data source sees; it does not verify that the recipient is the right person.
- Read the status carefully. A transaction that is broadcast or pending has not necessarily been included in a block. Once included, it has a confirmation; later blocks add further confirmations.
- Allow for variable timing. Fee level and network demand affect confirmation timing. A higher fee can encourage faster confirmation, but no fixed arrival time is guaranteed. Merchants may require sufficient confirmations before treating a payment as final; the appropriate number depends on the context, and there is no universal threshold in the sources cited here. Bitcoin.org discusses fees and confirmation timing. BIP 70 describes merchants waiting for sufficient confirmations.
Stop if you see any of these warning signs
- The address changes unexpectedly. Confirm it through a previously trusted channel before paying.
- The final address in your wallet does not match the full address you verified. Cancel the transaction.
- The amount, fee or other transaction detail differs from what you intended. Do not approve it.
- Anyone claiming to be support asks for your seed phrase or private key. Do not share either; Bitcoin.org says no legitimate person, business or support team will ask for these secrets. Bitcoin.org’s scam guidance covers this warning.
Why address checks matter
Bitcoin payments should be treated as irreversible for practical purposes. If you send funds to a valid address controlled by someone else, they may be permanently inaccessible to you. Careful verification before authorization matters because an address that looks plausible does not prove that it belongs to the intended recipient. Bitcoin.org explains important risks to understand before using Bitcoin.
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