Nothing is sacred to online scammers. Now they not only "sell" non-existent things on the Internet to deceive gullible buyers, but also make money from fake fees for the benefit of the military and cheat welfare seekers. How not to become a victim of Internet scammers?
About this and not only Ukrainian Information Service spoke with the head of the 1st sector (operational search and partnership in the field of information technologies) of the cybercrime countermeasures department in the Odesa region of the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine, a police captain Inna Serhiivna Khlyvna.
Regarding Internet fraud: Have you noticed an increase in the number of fraud schemes since the beginning of the full-scale invasion? Share numbers and statistics.
In fact, the situation remained at the level of previous years, but the directions in which fraudsters "work" have changed. For the most part, they redirected their activities to the sale of military equipment, essential goods (for example, the sale of generators during mass blackouts) and, of course, assistance to the Armed Forces, but of course they did not stop using the familiar "sale" schemes on the Internet.
Phishing is a typical scheme. What is it and how does it work?
Phishing is one of the types of Internet fraud aimed at stealing confidential electronic information from gullible or unwary citizens. Phishing sites are fake sites that completely copy a real web resource. The difference can be just one letter or character in the address bar.
Currently, there are many cases when fraudsters create phishing web resources and, under the guise of providing state aid, offer citizens to receive payment on a card, with the aim of further unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the payment cards of Ukrainian citizens.
Also, for example, ads are posted on the OLH platform and in social networks. After that, when placing an order, fraudsters offer to use a "secure agreement" on OLH or other third-party services for security and send a link to a phishing resource - a visual copy of a real site, where citizens enter their bank card details, after which fraudsters transfer money from them.
What are the most popular scams today and how not to become a victim?
The most popular schemes remain calls on behalf of the bank, sale of non-existent goods through Internet platforms and payments of social assistance during the war.
In order not to become a victim of fraudsters, it is necessary to observe the following rules:
- If you receive a phone call pretending to be a bank employee, under no circumstances should you provide bank card details, as well as codes from SMS messages from the bank or mobile operator, which can be used to confirm payments. Remember, the bank employee will NEVER ask for personal information, the three-digit code on the back of the card, passwords, pin code, etc.
And in case of doubt whether a real bank employee is talking to you, I recommend contacting the bank at the phone number indicated on the back of the card;
- If you are approached under the guise of a "Charitable Fund" and asked to provide personal data to receive social benefits during the war (or other) - hang up the phone and contact the local authorities and check whether you can really receive such benefits. If the information is not confirmed, report this event to the police at number "102";
- If you are called and threatened by the fact that a relative is in trouble and demand immediate transfer of funds to save him, hang up the phone, check where your relative is and be sure to report the event to 102.
- In order not to fall into the scheme of selling a non-existent product, I advise you to buy and pay only on verified sites, give preference to cash on delivery;
- in the case of a purchase on a classifieds platform, discuss the details of the deal only in the chat of this platform and do not go to third-party messengers or via links;
- check the correctness of the name of the required site: after all, one invisible symbol in the address bar can mean that you got to a phishing site;
- always check the phone/bank card number and website name on Google.
How to act when you have already fallen into the hands of fraudsters?
If you understand that you have been deceived, immediately report this fact to the bodies and divisions of the National Police of Ukraine. It is also possible to do this by applying on the official website of the Cyber Police Department or by calling 102.
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