When you receive a Binance link from a stranger or even a friend, your first reaction should not be to click, but to verify. If you want to access Binance, please open the Binance Official Website yourself. We also recommend downloading the Official Binance APP directly from the official website or the App Store. For iOS region-switching steps, refer to Binance App Download. Let's break down how to judge these links.
Three Types of Links: Handle with Care
1. Referral Links (Most Common, Relatively Safe)
Links sent by friends, tutorial sites, or influencers often contain a referral code (ref), looking like this:
https://www.binance.com/en/register?ref=XXXXX
The target domain is the real binance.com; it just includes a tracking code. Clicking it allows the referrer to earn a commission when you register, which does not harm you in any way.
Verdict: Hover your mouse to see the actual destination. As long as it ends up at binance.com, it is OK.
2. Short Links (Be Cautious)
Services like t.cn, bit.ly, urlxx.cn, or TikTok short links hide the final destination before you click. This is where beginners are most likely to fall into traps.
Verdict: Use a "Short Link Parser" (available via search) to see the real URL first. Only click once you confirm it is an official Binance domain.
3. Unknown Domain Links (Never Click)
Links displayed as binance-vip.cc, binancce.com, or binance-app.online are 100% phishing. No matter how close the friend is who sent it, do not click. Inform them that their account might have been compromised.
What Happens When a Friend's Account is Compromised?
After a chat account is hacked, phishers often use these common scripts:
- "Sign up now, I just got 50 USDT!"
- "Official Binance giveaway, limited time only."
- "This customer service agent can help unlock your account."
- "I have an internal KYC channel."
- "My phone is broken, can I use your account for a quick transfer?"
These are classic scams. If a friend suddenly sends you a Binance link, verify it is actually them through another method (like a phone call) first.
Even for "Real" Referral Links, Alternatives are Recommended
Even if you confirm the link points to the genuine binance.com, it is better to:
- Copy the link and delete everything after binance.com.
- Visit the root domain yourself and log in or register.
- If you want to support the person sharing the link, ask them for their "Ref Code" (e.g., ABCDE1234) directly.
- Manually enter this code when registering on the binance.com site you opened yourself.
This completely bypasses the risk of "link replacement" attacks.
Binance Links in Emails
Binance sends official emails, but the standards for verifying email links are even higher:
| Checkpoint | Real Email | Fake Email |
|---|---|---|
| Sender Domain | @binance.com or @notification.binance.com | @binance-xxx.com |
| Anti-Phishing Code | Displays the custom code you set | Missing or random characters |
| Destination | Hover shows binance.com | Shows other domains |
| Sense of Urgency | Generally moderate | "Immediately," "Or account will be banned" |
If any of these items don't look right, close the email and do not click any links.
"Customer Service" on Telegram / WhatsApp Groups
Binance official staff will never message you first. Anyone who adds you and says, "I am Binance customer service," is 100% a scammer. Real customer service is only found at:
- The "Live Chat" inside the APP.
- The chat window on the Help Center website.
- Submitting a ticket through the Help Center.
People who DM you, share business cards in groups, or add you on Telegram are all fake.
A Simple "Five-Second Rule"
Before clicking any Binance-related link, ask yourself five questions:
- Did I actively seek this out just now?
- is the final domain the official Binance domain?
- Is the sender a real person whose identity I can verify?
- Can I do what this link wants me to do directly inside my own account?
- What would I lose if I don't click this link?
If the answer to any of these is "No," do not click.
When Sending Links to Others
As a beginner, you might eventually send links to your friends. Keep these tips in mind:
- Provide the referral code instead of a link ("Just enter ABCDE1234 when signing up").
- If you must send a link, send a clean one like binance.com/en/register.
- Don't just forward links sent to you by others.
By building this habit, you protect yourself from being scammed and avoid spreading scams to others.
FAQ
Q: Are Binance referral links legal? Will my account be flagged for clicking one?
A: They are perfectly legal. Binance has an official "Referral Program." These links are compliant and harmless to you.
Q: What if I already clicked a suspicious link but didn't enter my password?
A: Close the page, clear your browser cache, and run an antivirus scan on your device. Your account is safe.
Q: My friend's WeChat definitely isn't hacked; can I trust their link?
A: Friend's link + real domain = Safe. However, it is still recommended to visit the official site yourself and simply ask for their referral code.
Q: Can the built-in "Safe Browsing" in browsers identify phishing links?
A: It can identify some, but there is always a time lag. Beginners should not rely on it exclusively.
Further Reading
- Which domain is the real Binance: Core access points
- Is the Binance page I'm looking at real? Three verification steps
- How to set up an Anti-Phishing Code: Verifying emails