Fake jobs, payments and calls from the bank: the main fraudulent schemes of spring
2 May 13:27
Fraudsters are not only improving old schemes to cheat people out of their money, but also inventing new ones. And, unfortunately, Ukrainians are falling for it, despite numerous warnings. The most popular fraud schemes over the past month were collected by
Tempting offers on TikTok
TikTok users have started receiving attractive job offers on behalf of TikTok’s HR department. Online work, high incomes and bonuses – those wishing to join the “team” are asked to follow the link and contact the social network’s HR department via WhatsApp.
In reality, this is a fraudulent scheme aimed at stealing personal data or money, the Center for Countering Disinformation warns.
They urge you not to click on such links and not to enter personal data. In general, one should be extremely cautious lately: do not click on unclear links, even check messages from friends and relatives before responding.
New fraudulent schemes on social media
Another trap has appeared on Telegram. Fraudsters hack into users’ accounts and then create fake videos using the victim’s face, where they allegedly personally ask for money. These “circles” are sent to friends or relatives of the account owner. Therefore, if you receive such a video, call this person or write to them in another messenger. Check whether they really sent this message. Earlier, the AntAC recorded a wave of fraud on Telegram under the guise of “gifts” with cash prizes.
Currently, scammers are trying to seize the personal data of thousands of Ukrainians – participants of the National Multisubject Test (NMT) are in the crosshairs, the AntAC reported.
Information is being spread on Telegram about an allegedly “official” bot that promises to announce the date and place of the test. To do this, users are asked to enter personal data, including their last name, first name, and address.
According to the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment, the attackers also distribute fake videos with “reviews” of the bot’s work to create the illusion of trust in the resource. The Center urges NMT participants, their parents and teachers to be careful and not to click on suspicious links. All official information about the test is available only in the participant’s personal account, the agency emphasizes.
Fake payments and calls from the “bank”
But caution is needed not only on social media. As reported by
Receipts from fraudsters contain the same logos, signatures, and tables. However, the details specified in the fakes are fake and transfer money to the accounts of the criminals. Experts recommend that Ukrainians:
- Carefully check the details – genuine payments contain banking data that matches those on the supplier’s website or in the official application.
- Pay attention to the amount in the bill – it should correspond to your usual expenses. Fraudsters usually overcharge.
- Check the sender – receipts should only come from utilities. If the sender is a private or unknown person, this is the main sign of fraud.
If in doubt, you should call the service provider or check the information in your personal account on their website.
Telephone fraud with PrivatBank
Last week, scammers attacked PrivatBank customers from the number 044 364 53 20. As usual, they called on behalf of PrivatBank’s “security service” and reported that “several transactions to the territory of the aggressor country have been made from the client’s card in the last 20 minutes” and offered to cancel the transfer.
“The fraudsters offered to cancel the transfer, take out fraud insurance, and pressured people to immediately comply with the demands: they recorded a voice message and “verified” the bank card details. For the sake of credibility, they called their “personal number,” which can allegedly be found on Privat’s website. In this way, the fraudsters are trying to obtain customer data for further illegal actions to seize funds. Bank employees never ask for the card number, PIN, and CVV code,” the AntAC warns.
140 thousand hryvnias swindled from Poltava region residents
Fraudsters cheated residents of Poltava, Kremenchuk and Myrhorod districts out of 140 thousand hryvnias under the pretext of “providing banking services,” “quick money for likes” and “financial assistance.”
While in the banking schemes, people provided the details themselves, a resident of Poltava region came across the scammers in a messenger. She was offered extra money for liking a post. Clicking on the link provided, the woman lost 15 thousand hryvnias from her bank card.
You will have to collect evidence yourself
As always, we would like to remind citizens: never disclose personal information or conduct financial transactions during calls or messages from unknown persons. Call the bank’s contact center and report fraudsters.
“To prevent personal data theft, it is necessary to protect financial information: use unique strong passwords for each account, and, if possible, two-factor authentication. Remember that you should never share sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, card information, or medical records over the phone, email, or text. To avoid uncontrolled purchases, set a limit on online payments and confirmation via SMS or call,” says Sofia Shchur, a consultant at the NABU’s Zakhyst Legal Clinic.
If you have already become a victim of fraud, Sofia Shchur advises you to contact the nearest police station or call 102. Gather all possible information confirming the facts of fraudulent actions: payment receipts, bank receipts, printouts of ads, links to the website, etc.
It is also worth contacting the website administrator with a request to block the fraudster’s page, as well as to inform the bank through which the payments were made that the transfer was made to the fraudster’s account.
Author: Alla Dunina
