Scam alert: MetaMask warns users of deceptive March 31 airdrop rumors

Web3 wallet provider MetaMask has warned its users about "false rumors" of an alleged MetaMask airdrop, which appears to have been circulating on social media.

According to a March 28 tweet from MetaMask, there have been "quite a few rumors" about a MetaMask snapshot or airdrop on March 31.

โ€œThese rumors are not only false, they are dangerous. They create opportunities for scammers and phishers,โ€ MetaMask warned.

Cointelegraph has identified a number of Twitter accounts that are allegedly related to MetaMask or a MetaMask token airdrop.

A Twitter account claiming to be owned by MetaMask that links to a phishing website

In its Twitter post, MetaMask has denied rumors of an upcoming airdrop and urged users to be on the lookout for fake sites in the coming days.

Screenshot of a phishing website claiming to be MetaMask

Recent rumors may be related to a "small talk" session with ConsenSys CEO and Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin at ETHDenver 2023 on March 14, who reiterated that his firm is โ€œactively working to decentralizeโ€ MetaMask. Later, reportedly confirmed that the team intends to launch a token.

Lubin also first hinted at a MetaMask token in a Tweet on November 8, 2021, saying โ€œWen $MASK? Stay tuned."

While MetaMask has debunked an impending airdrop, many of the responses from the community suggest that they still hold out hope that an airdrop could still happen, just at a later date.

Cointelegraph has reached out to ConsenSys to clarify if there were any plans for a future airdrop, but had yet to hear back at press time.

Related: Arbitrum's ARB Token Signifies the Beginning of Airdrop Season โ€“ Here are 5 to Watch Out For

Activity on MetaMask nearly tripled due to rumors, with data from DappRadar showing that the number of transactions on March 27 reached 21,460 from a baseline of approximately 8,000.

MetaMask activity from February 27 to March 28. Source: DappRadar

MetaMask saw a similar burst of activity due to rumors of a November 2021 airdrop, following recent airdrops of both the Ethereum Naming Service and mention of a Lubin token.

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