Fraudsters Target Pensioners: How to Protect Yourself from a New Scheme During Identification

Fraudsters Target Pensioners: How to Protect Yourself from a New Scheme During Identification

Criminals are using new rules for identifying payment recipients to commit fraud, especially among the elderly. Journalist Iryna Polyakova warns of the activation of cybercriminals following the tightening of requirements by the Pension Fund of Ukraine. Current fraudulent schemes can cause serious harm to the financial security of pensioners, who become targets for the perpetrators.

The Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) recently strengthened its requirements for identification, which unfortunately provided an opportunity for fraudsters to intensify their activities. Criminals call elderly individuals, posing as employees of banks and the Pension Fund, with the aim of deceiving them. For example, one of the scenarios includes calls with messages about card blocking, which provoke panic among the elderly. In such cases, fraudsters offer to 'perform identification for you' for a fee, which is outright deception.

Real specialists from the Pension Fund, like representatives of banks, never ask people for their CVV code.

Iryna Polyakova

This is an important warning that pensioners should remember to avoid becoming victims of fraudsters. It is also important to remember that video identification only occurs when the pensioner has ordered it in advance, and not at the initiative of strangers.

Rules for Protection Against Fraudsters

To protect their funds, the journalist recommends adhering to a few simple rules:

• Do not respond to calls from unfamiliar numbers, especially if they concern financial issues.
• Verify information about identification on the official website of the Pension Fund, whose address ends with .gov.ua.
• Do not share personal data, such as CVV code, with any third parties.
• If there are any doubts, one should consult relatives or friends.

These 'iron' rules can significantly reduce the risk of falling into the hands of fraudsters. In light of the tightening requirements of the Pension Fund, it is important for elderly individuals to be aware of potential threats and ways to protect their finances. The increase in fraudulent schemes indicates the need for raising financial literacy among pensioners, which, in turn, can reduce their vulnerability. Understanding the basic principles of safety in the online environment and personal finances is an important step in the fight against cybercrime.