Since 2022, bank chargebacks and account freezes have become a common headache for crypto enthusiasts and forex traders in Pakistan. After making profits or withdrawing funds from cryptocurrency, many fear their bank accounts will be frozen, potentially losing their hard-earned money. As a P2P merchant with over five years of experience, I’m sharing practical tips to reduce this risk by up to 95%. Please read this guide fully and follow each step to trade securely.
Why Do Accounts Get Frozen? Are Merchants to Blame?
Merchants themselves don’t initiate disputes—P2P trading is their livelihood, so sabotaging it makes no sense. They wouldn’t risk their business knowing a dispute won’t recover their funds. So, why do accounts get blocked? Here’s the explanation:
1-Scams Exploiting Financial Illiteracy
Pakistan, as a developing nation, has many financially unaware individuals who are easily tricked by promises of investments, jobs, trading opportunities, or freelancing gigs. Scammers convince victims to buy USDT (a digital asset) and send it to them. Once the scammer disappears, the victim, believing the merchant scammed them, reports the transaction to their bank. This triggers a dispute, freezing the merchant’s account. If the merchant then sends those funds to you (while buying your USDT), your account may also freeze. This chain reaction—called chain disputes—can even affect friends or family if you transfer the money further, unless it’s withdrawn via ATM or cheque.
2-Organized Scammer Groups
Foreign and local scammer networks hire people to open bank accounts solely for fraud. They collect funds from victims, pool them into one account, and buy USDT, creating a ripple effect of frozen accounts. Based on my observations, 99% of these groups operate from areas like D.I. Khan, D.G. Khan, and nearby districts. Merchants, like you, become unintended victims of these tainted transactions.
In short, merchants don’t dispute you—they’re caught in the same mess caused by scammers.
Tips to Avoid Chargebacks and Freezes
Here’s how to protect yourself, based on my five years as a P2P merchant:
1. Sell USDT to Verified Merchants on Binance
Always choose merchants with verified status on Binance. This is your first layer of safety. I’ll explain how to evaluate them below.
2. Check Negative Feedback
Before selling, visit the merchant’s profile and focus on their negative feedback (not just completion rates or positive reviews). If buyers mention the merchant requests CNIC, extra KYC, video calls, or selfies, it’s a green signal. These signs show the merchant is cautious about payments, reducing your risk.
3. Review Merchant Terms
Without placing an order, check the merchant’s buy ad terms. Look for:
Mandatory verification (e.g., CNIC or bank statements).
Preference for traders with 30+ completed trades in the past month.
Requiring buyers to hold assets in their Binance account before ordering.
If these conditions are present, it’s your second green signal that the merchant is vigilant.
4. Protect Your Bank Account
Even with a careful merchant, take these extra steps:
Use a Dedicated Account: Open a separate bank account just for P2P payments.
Withdraw Funds Safely: After receiving payment, don’t transfer it to your main account—withdraw via ATM or cheque instead.
Test the Account: Before a second P2P transaction, send PKR 50 to another bank or wallet to confirm the account isn’t flagged. If it’s clear, proceed with larger amounts.
By following these steps, you’ll be over 99% protected from unexpected disputes and freezes.
Upcoming Tips
Mobile Wallets & Small Transactions: Stay tuned for a follow-up post covering safe practices for smaller trades and mobile wallet transactions.