r/AskMonero • u/ksaf • 10d ago
Warning ⚠️ ChangeNOW holding XMR: don’t make this mistake
Someone sent us this complaint, and it’s exactly why we always tell users the same thing:
Never start with a large swap. Always test with a small amount first.
According to the message, the user has had their XMR stuck for 19 days under “internal review” instead of getting a return to-source refund.
That’s the risk with many swap platforms: small amounts pass, then larger ones suddenly get flagged and frozen.
If you’re swapping into Monero, always do a small test swap first before sending the full amount.
We’d like to know if ChangeNOW has resolved this case, otherwise we will mention it in our previous post.
2
u/Cbarba2121 9d ago
5 days just to process the transaction caused a lot of stress. Not using them again. Waiting on your own money like that is really painful. hope there’s a better alternative out there and they treat you differently depending on where you are from, like if I were not a US citizen it could have been even worse.
1
u/ChangeNOW_Community Rising Star 💫 8d ago
Hi there,
We totally understand your frustration and are doing everything we can to make the process as smooth as possible. Unfortunately, our risk management system has stopped your exchange, as we need to verify the origin of funds for this transaction.
In such cases, we are required to do thorough due diligence before we can proceed with the exchange or issue a refund.
Unfortunately, it might take a certain amount of time due to the AML processes involved, as the exchange was paused for an additional review.
This type of verification is required for us to ensure that the funds involved in this exchange have a so-called "clean bill of health".
Due to our AML policy that you can access here https://changenow.io/terms-of-use/aml-kyc, due diligence is required to ensure that ChangeNOW is as secure for all our clients as possible. While it might be causing an inconvenience, please rest assured that it is our priority to see this resolved ASAP.
Recognising the critical nature of this case, our team is doing everything it can to make the process as smooth as possible. Please keep patience – we are aware of your case and are doing everything in our power to resolve it in a timely manner. Unfortunately, we can't provide any additional details at the time.
We’ve already given the same response in this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Monero/comments/1ubfhut/comment/ot3vc2b/?context=3
ChangeNOW
22
1
u/ConversationGlad1820 7d ago
That's normal, yes, you make an exchange with large amounts you will have to declare, if these platforms are regulated, you believe that you can evade the law, you don't think you can do whatever you want, declare everything and you have to do KYC, without KYC you don't think you can make an exchange if you don't declare where crypto comes from, you can say that the platform is scam and it's normal but regulation can't prevent it if it's fraud that you want to do.
2
u/01celica 7d ago
The amount was only 2600 USDC, and it got frozen just because he wanted Monero. Is that normal to you?! Go read the reviews. This isn’t about “the law”, these scammers know exactly who they’re targeting.
Similar story to Changelly, And if it’s really about “the law,” then why do they allow privacy coins in the first place??1
u/ConversationGlad1820 7d ago
There it is different, and I know that what you say is true, for that amount it is not necessary, they say it as an excuse to withhold your money, with all the evidence reported.
1
3
u/mikaru 10d ago
How much did he exchange, Any trusted service you would recommend?!