Fresh Wave of Phone Scams Hits Ukraine
A new surge of fraudulent phone calls is sweeping Ukraine, with criminals posing as Monobank employees to gain access to customer accounts. The Center for Countering Disinformation reports that the scammers are calling from the numbers +38 044 325 03 16 and +38 044 592 40 76. During these calls, the fraudsters typically claim there has been a suspicious login to the victim's account from another city or an attempt to withdraw credit limits.
The criminals attempt to convince their victims to press a 'cancellation' button in the banking app, which is actually a confirmation to transfer funds to the scammers' accounts. To make the call seem legitimate, they may recite the victim's date of birth and ask for the exact amount of money on their card or their credit limit. The overall level of such fraud in Ukraine has now returned to rates not seen in a decade, causing widespread public concern. This tactic exploits the trust customers have in their financial institutions.
Essential Steps to Safeguard Your Funds
To protect your money, the Center for Countering Disinformation provides the following key recommendations:
- Never confirm any transaction while on such a call.
- Do not disclose any confidential information and hang up immediately.
- Contact your bank directly using only verified, official communication channels.
Genuine bank employees will never call customers demanding they cancel transactions by pressing buttons in an app or by providing SMS codes. It is crucial to remain vigilant and protect your finances. Always verify any unsolicited contact by calling your bank on the official number from their website.
This report underscores the critical need for caution in financial matters, especially amid a rising tide of sophisticated fraud.
Center for Countering Disinformation
Customers must be alert to calls from unknown numbers and adhere strictly to their bank's security guidelines to avoid financial loss. Increasing public awareness of these scam methods can significantly reduce the likelihood of criminals succeeding.