The Bottom Line: Don't Touch It
If you've received an unwanted NFT, it's tempting to send it somewhere to get rid of it — but attempting to transfer (Send) or "dispose of" it carries risk, too. Doing nothing (ignoring it) is the safest response.
Why Transferring Is Risky Too
1. It Executes a Malicious Contract
NFTs sent as part of a scam are often built on a maliciously designed contract. "Transferring" it means executing that contract's code. Even if it looks like an ordinary transfer, a different action (such as an Approval request) can be triggered behind the scenes at the same time.
2. The Trap of Fake "Send," "Burn," or "Claim" Buttons
Scam sites or NFT detail pages sometimes include buttons labeled "dispose" or "cash out." Tapping them may prompt you to connect your wallet or sign an approval — and doing so risks handing over withdrawal permissions to your real assets.
3. Demands for Excessive Gas Fees
Some scams claim that "transferring requires a gas fee" and try to get you to pay an unusually high fee.
Worthless tokens should never require you to pay gas fees.
Recommended Response
- Do nothing: Ignoring it won't cause you to lose any assets
- Use the "hide" or "report spam" feature: Major marketplaces like OpenSea let you hide suspicious NFTs from your list. This is safe, since it doesn't interact with the contract directly
- Never open any links: Don't access any URLs embedded in the NFT or its metadata
- Don't connect your wallet to external sites: Don't connect your wallet to sites claiming to let you "cash out" or "claim"
Summary
| Action | Safety |
|---|---|
| Ignore it | ◎ Safest |
| Use the "hide" feature | ○ Safe |
| Try to transfer or dispose of it | △ Risky (unintended Approval, etc.) |
| Open a link / connect your wallet | × Never do this |
Wanting to "get rid of" an unwanted NFT is exactly what scammers are counting on. Stay calm, don't open any links, and leave it alone.
Related articles: Unrecognized Tokens or NFTs Received / Precautions When Connecting Your Wallet to a DApp