Is This Crypto a Rug Pull?

Check the red flags. Get a risk score. Protect your investment. Free, no signup.

0
LOW RISK

Red Flags Checklist

Check every red flag that applies. Risk score updates in real-time.

[TEAM] Identity & Background

HIGH
MED
HIGH
LOW

[CODE] Smart Contract & Audit

HIGH
HIGH
MED
MED

[MONEY] Liquidity & Tokenomics

HIGH
HIGH
MED
LOW

[SOCIAL] Marketing & Hype

HIGH
MED
LOW
LOW

Common Crypto Scam Types

Scam TypeHow It WorksSeverity
Rug PullDevs drain liquidity pool and disappearCRITICAL
HoneypotYou can buy but cannot sell the tokenCRITICAL
Pump & DumpCoordinated buying to inflate price, then mass sellHIGH
Fake AuditFabricated audit reports from non-existent firmsHIGH
ImpersonationFake token mimicking a legitimate projectHIGH
PhishingFake websites stealing wallet seed phrasesCRITICAL
Airdrop ScamFree tokens that require wallet connection to drainHIGH
Ponzi/MLMReturns paid from new investor depositsCRITICAL

How to DYOR — 8 Steps

01

Check the Team

Verify identities on LinkedIn. Search for past projects. Anonymous team = major red flag.

02

Read the Audit

Look for audits from CertiK, SlowMist, or Hacken. Verify on the auditor's website directly.

03

Check Liquidity Lock

Use DexTools or Team Finance to verify liquidity is locked for at least 6-12 months.

04

Analyze Token Distribution

Use Etherscan/BscScan to check top holders. No wallet should hold >5-10%.

05

Read the Contract

Look for mint(), pause(), or blacklist() functions. These give dangerous control.

06

Check Social Activity

Are followers real? Use tools like SparkToro or SocialBlade to detect fakes.

07

Test with Small Amount

Try buying AND selling a small amount first. If you can't sell, it's a honeypot.

08

Never Share Seed Phrase

No legitimate project will ever ask for your seed phrase. Anyone who does is a scammer.

Wallet Security Checklist

SECURITY: [________] 0/8

Protect Yourself from Crypto Scams

Crypto rug pulls stole over $2 billion from investors in 2023 alone. As the crypto market grows, so do the scams. RugTool helps you identify red flags before you invest, with an interactive checklist and risk scoring system.

What is a Rug Pull?

A rug pull occurs when cryptocurrency developers create a token, build hype, attract investors, and then drain the liquidity — taking all investor funds with them. The term comes from "pulling the rug out from under" investors. Common in DeFi and meme coin markets.

Red Flags to Watch For

The biggest red flags are: anonymous teams with no verifiable identity, unaudited smart contracts, unlocked liquidity that developers can withdraw at any time, concentrated token holdings where one wallet controls a large percentage, and unrealistic promises of guaranteed returns. Our checklist covers 16 key risk factors across team, code, liquidity, and marketing.

How to Stay Safe

Always DYOR (Do Your Own Research). Use a hardware wallet like Ledger for significant holdings. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Use a VPN to protect your privacy. Revoke token approvals after using DeFi protocols. And never, ever share your seed phrase with anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crypto rug pull?

A rug pull is when developers create a crypto token, attract investors, then drain the liquidity pool and disappear with the funds. Over $2 billion was lost to rug pulls in 2023.

How do I know if a crypto is a scam?

Check for: anonymous team, no audit, unlocked liquidity, concentrated token holdings, guaranteed return promises, no real utility, and aggressive marketing. Use our checklist above for a comprehensive risk assessment.

How to avoid crypto scams?

Always DYOR. Verify the team, check audits, confirm liquidity locks, analyze token distribution, test with a small amount first, and never share your seed phrase.