Do you want to be in control of your cryptocurrencies again? With the recent fall of many centralized players, it is quite legitimate. In this sense, the hardware wallets offered by Ledger are the ideal solution. However, is it risky to buy your Ledger wallet via third-party retailers like Amazon? We answer and guide you to avoid any bad surprise.
Pros and cons of buying a Ledger on Amazon
This year of 2022 will have proven to us how security is a paramount element in cryptos. More than ever, it is strongly advised to store your cryptos outside centralized exchange platforms. Indeed, as the saying goes: “not your keys, not your coin”, in other words: “not your key, not your cryptos”.
Thus, it is preferable to use a hardware wallet, such as Ledger for example, to keep your crypto-currencies in a totally secure way. To get a Ledger key, nothing could be simpler, just go to the manufacturer’s website.
However, many retailers such as Amazon also sell Ledger keys. Is it really secure? What guarantees that the Ledger key is not corrupted? In other words, what is the risk of buying a Ledger key from Amazon?
The advantages of buying a Ledger from Amazon
For starters, note that Amazon is a certified Ledger reseller. As the website confirms, “Ledger devices sold on Amazon stores are indeed authentic. They benefit from the same updates and features as the devices sold on our e-commerce site.”
If you want to use Amazon, it’s best to go through the link to the official Ledger store.
Amazon offers you some benefits, including fast delivery through Amazon Prime. This can be interesting in times of high demand, when Ledger’s delivery times are often longer. Besides that, the available models are identical, as well as their price.
The risks of going through Amazon
Although Amazon is an authorized Ledger reseller, there is no guarantee that all the products of the French brand available on the marketplace are certified.
Indeed, they explain that their Ledger key already had a PIN or recovery phrase, indicating that it had already been used in the past. In other words, this may mean that their key was corrupted upon receipt and therefore poses a danger.
Obviously, you shouldn’t deposit your cryptocurrencies in a Ledger that was purchased second-hand or has already been used. Also, overwriting the data and restarting the key will not be enough to erase all risks.
What to do when you get your Ledger?
Ensuring the security of your cryptocurrencies is important and holding a Ledger wallet is the best way to do so. However, there is no such thing as zero risk and when you receive your key, you will need to check a few important things to prove that it is not corrupted.
First, make sure that the Ledger box is well packaged in a blister pack. Then, when you open it, check that the recovery sheets are blank. This document is of crucial importance because it is on it that you will write down the 24 words that will make up your recovery phrase.
You will be asked for this phrase if you lose your Ledger key. Write down the words carefully and store this paper in a safe place. Don’t take a picture of it, don’t send the word list by email and don’t save it on a cloud, to limit the risks.
Next, when you turn on your Ledger, make sure you see the “Welcome” message appear. Then, you will have to set a PIN code. If it doesn’t, then it means that the key has already been used in the past. If you are in doubt, contact Ledger support.
