Fraudulent acts are as diverse as the relationships between people. They are a consequence of the turnover of goods, the use of online services or bank cards. Therefore, every sphere attracts criminals who are constantly inventing new ways to steal money.
However, there are general rules that will help you not to become a victim of fraudsters.
make purchases only on verified sites
check resource URL (domain)
do not enter confidential data, passwords and other information that can be used to confirm payments
in the case of a purchase on a classifieds platform, clarify the details of the deal only in the chat of this platform and do not go to third-party messengers
skip messages that require urgent action or seem too attractive do not click on links from strangers.
Remember that fraudsters play on the knowledge of human psychology and emotions.
The war in Ukraine became the basis for the spread of fraudulent schemes based on a vulnerable emotional state and abuse of your trust.
At the same time, the ingenuity of fraudsters goes beyond the scope of scams already well known to Ukrainians, so new ways of cheating appear. The National Police of Ukraine tells about the most common fraud schemes and the basic safety rules that will help to expose scammers.
Sale of cheap goods “from hand to hand”
If strangers come to you and offer to buy cheap goods, be wary. These could be scammers! in this way, they try to find out where you keep your savings, and then steal the money unnoticed by you.
Remember: “free cheese is only in the mousetrap”.
What shall I do?
Do not let strangers into your home.
Involve your neighbors in the conversation or call your relatives: this can scare away scammers.
If you have been approached by fraudsters, report it to the police on 102.
“Monetary reform”
If strangers visit you and tell you that due to the monetary reform, you need to replace old bills with new ones, know that they are 100% scammers. In this way, they try to appropriate all your savings.
What shall I do?
Do not trust strangers and do not let them into your home.
Tell relatives about the visit.
Always consult with those you trust.
If you have been approached by fraudsters, report it to the police on 102.
“Calls on behalf of bank representatives”
“Your card is blocked”, “they want to deduct money from your account”, “new rules during martial law” – criminals posing as bank employees use various methods to gain access to your bank cards.
As soon as unknown people ask you to provide the card number, pin code, code word, three-digit number on the back of the card and its validity period, or to enter the password that came to CMC, know: these are scammers.
Remember: even in wartime, real bank employees never ask for such information.
What shall I do?
Hang up the phone.
Report the incident to the police on 102. “Your relative is in trouble”
If they call you (often at night or in the morning) and inform you that a relative is in trouble and ask you to transfer money, this is a scam. Attackers can pretend to be a son/daughter,
a grandson/granddaughter who seems to have gotten into trouble (had an accident, ended up in the police, etc.). Ps can introduce themselves as doctors or policemen and offer their help in solving the “problem” for a reward that can be from one thousand to tens of thousands of hryvnias, and sometimes even several thousand SSR dollars.
Remember: this is how scammers work!
What shall I do?
Hang up the phone.
Check where your relative is.
Report the incident to the police on 102.
“Social benefits during the war”
“During the war, you can receive social assistance” scammers most often send SMS messages about receiving various payments from authorities or charitable funds and ask for the following information: your profile data, card number, pin code, code word, three-digit number on the back card and its validity period.
Remember: by giving this information, you give fraudsters access to your account, so they can steal all your savings.
What shall I do?
Hang up the phone.
Contact your relatives or authorities and check whether you can really receive such benefits.
If you have received a call from a scammer, report it to the police on 102.
Prize winnings (cars, household appliances)
“You won a car or household appliances” – do not rush to follow all the instructions of strangers. Usually, a number is indicated in the sent SMS, by which you can get detailed information. When you call, you are told the conditions that must be met in order to receive the “prize”. As a rule, you are offered to pay 1% of the value of the won product. But as soon as you do that, strangers stop contacting you and disappear.
Remember: this is how scammers work!
What shall I do?
Consider whether you have participated in promotions or contests.
Do not transfer money to strangers.
If you have received a call from a scammer, report it to the police on 102.