Your caution is totally justified there are definitely shady operations out there. Over the years I've developed a checklist before using any mixer: first, I look for detailed reviews from independent sources that actually explain how the service works technically, not just surface-level praise. Second, I check if they have a proven track record on forums like Bitcointalk where long-term users discuss them. Third, I look for mixers that are transparent about their reserves or have features like Letters of Guarantee. The best resource I've found is a site that compiles all this information with detailed tutorials for each mixer. You can find it here they cover things like ChipMixer's proof of reserves, FoxMixer's node distribution for security, and which services have been operating for years without issues. Reading through those comparisons and user discussions gave me the confidence to choose.