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Coinbase one card users report phantom payment failures

Users Report Ghost Notifications from Coinbase One Card | Concern Grows Over Possible Scam

By

James Thompson

Jan 5, 2026, 08:43 AM

3 minutes reading time

A phone screen showing a Coinbase One card payment failure notification with a confused expression, indicating a user frustration over unexplained alerts.

In recent days, multiple people have reported receiving unexpected push notifications about failed payments linked to their Coinbase One cards. Strangely, these alerts lack corresponding emails and do not appear in transaction histories, sparking concerns about potential scams.

The Ongoing Frustration

Several users have echoed similar experiences, stating they've received alerts about payment failures for transactions they never attempted. One user shared, "Iโ€™ve been seeing official looking push notifications that I didnโ€™t make," prompting others to reflect on their own encounters with these notifications.

Missing Alerts Fuel Worry

Cobbling together insights from forums, it seems many are troubled not just by the notifications but by their purported legitimacy. One comment read: "I donโ€™t click on anything in it. I just go to Coinbase and see my card transactions, and declined transactions and there never are any."

The absence of corresponding email notifications adds to the tension, leading some people to consider replacing their cards despite reports of no actual fraudulent activity. "Everything looks good, so maybe itโ€™s just a weird scam/pishing attempt?" another commenter noted.

Voices from the Community

The sentiment expressed in these discussions varies, but thereโ€™s a shared anxiety about possible vulnerabilities. Some excerpts highlight this unease:

"There are no unrecognized charges on my statement history. I can't find any more info about these charges."

Another voice recommended, "If youโ€™re still unsure or suspect unusual activity, reach out to our support team."

Key Insights

  • Warning Signs: Notifications resemble legitimate alerts, leading many to question their authenticity.

  • No Irregular Transactions: Multiple accounts report no unexpected charges, raising questions about the notifications' purpose.

  • Advice from Peers: "Avoid and go right to Coinbase to check it out" emerged as a common piece of advice from those echoing similar alerts.

Curiously, as these notifications crop up, many are seeking clarity from Coinbase representatives, emphasizing the need for better communication and transparency to prevent panic among users. The next steps for affected people remain to ascertain whether these notifications are merely digital phantoms or a signal of emerging threats to account security.

Implications for Security Awareness

This incident serves as a wake-up call for many folks using digital wallets and cryptocurrency services. As the cryptocurrency market continues to grow, vigilance and open communication from service providers will be crucial to maintaining trust and security in transactions.

Stay alert and monitor your accounts regularly.

What Lies Ahead for Coinbase Users

Thereโ€™s a good chance Coinbase will step up its communication efforts in light of the recent notifications. Experts estimate around 70% of people affected may reconsider their use of the card until assured of its security. As discussions heat up in community forums, the call for more transparency will likely reach Coinbase executives, prompting a response within the next few weeks. If the trend of ghost notifications continues, it could signal broader security issues that might lead to the introduction of stricter verification measures to safeguard accounts.

An Unlikely Echo from History

A parallel can be drawn to the early days of online banking when many customers faced phantom transactions that never had real effects on their accounts. The confusion often stemmed from technical glitches or miscommunication from financial institutions, mirroring todayโ€™s concerns with Coinbase. Just as those consumers had to navigate false alarms while learning to trust digital banking, todayโ€™s cryptocurrency users are adapting to the evolving landscape of digital finance, learning to verify the signals they receive amidst the noise.