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What to do if you get a call from scammers Printable version
Last update: 04.08.2025Common methods used to perpetrate online scam
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The most common method involves online trading, where scammers post ads on popular e-commerce platforms, as well as on social media and messaging apps such as Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp. As a rule, scammers advertise unusually low prices for goods or services and request either an advance payment or full prepayment.
To stay safe from scams like this, make sure to:
First, use trusted advertising platforms.
Second, avoid paying in advance — pay only after you've received the item.
Third, make sure the product actually exists — for example, by requesting a video call to verify it. If the seller is in another city, ask friends or relatives in that area to pick up and forward the item to you.
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Citizens continue to take part in various schemes promising quick financial gains by investing in brokerage firms and investment projects, despite their questionable nature and lack of transparency.
Scammers deceive citizens by setting up fake websites that impersonate major organizations, including national companies, banks, and cryptocurrency exchanges. At the same time, all interactions with the so-called "managers" and "brokers" occur online, often via messaging apps. To lure victims into investing larger amounts, scammers sometimes issue a single payment posing as dividend profits.
Citizens are advised not to invest in dubious investment projects. Before investing, it's essential to thoroughly research the stock market and verify the legitimacy of the specific project you're considering.
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Another widespread scheme includes phone calls from individuals claiming to represent banks, law enforcement authorities, or state institutions.
Scammers are always on the lookout for fresh tactics to mislead the public. These days, scammers often use SIM-box devices, foreign numbers, and WhatsApp to carry out fraud.
Scammers persuade citizens to move their funds from regular accounts or deposits to allegedly secure “insurance” accounts, which are later used to transfer or withdraw the stolen money.
Scammers also persuade victims to either apply for loans on their own or, under their guidance, install remote access software and share SMS verification codes sent by banks. In doing so, individuals unknowingly override the very security systems banks have put in place to protect them.
In some cases, victims even mortgaged or sold their existing property— such as apartments or vehicles —and transferred the proceeds to scammers' accounts.
It should be noted that bank or police officers never request personal information or conduct special operations over the phone.
If you receive a suspicious call, you should hang up immediately—even if the caller sounds convincing or trustworthy. Scammers often use psychological manipulation or possess personal information about the victim and their relatives. Such fraud schemes also appear on the Internet, where scammers use fake social media accounts pretending to be relatives to request urgent help.
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Another common scam involves services that promise to recover stolen funds. Advertisements offering legal assistance to recover stolen funds or cancel fraudulent loans are often posted on social media. At the same time, citizens are charged for these so-called services, with funds extorted under various pretexts—such as commissions, service fees, lifting of arrests, or bank penalties. As a result, citizens fall victim to fraudsters once again.
In order to avoid such cases, the following steps should be taken:
- do not trust online service providers that do not offer in-person interactions;
- at the meeting, verify the documents of individuals offering such services(e.g. ID, legal education diploma, etc.);
- sign a written contract for the provision of services
How to spot a scam from someone you know
Receiving a message from someone you know doesn’t mean it’s genuine—their account might have been hacked. Be alert if the message contains strange wording, an unusual tone, sudden financial emergencies, unfamiliar banking details, or asks for SMS codes or private data—these are common signs of a scam. Be suspicious of unexplained links, unknown file attachments, and requests to continue the conversation in third-party messaging apps.
Scammers often hide behind fake winnings, promotions, job offers, or investment opportunities. If the message urges quick action, especially involving money, and seems inconsistent with how the sender usually communicates, it may be a scam. In such cases, you should contact the person through a different channel, avoid clicking on any links, do not open attachments, and never share personal information.
Safety measures
To avoid falling victim to scams, make sure to follow the guidelines below:
- under no circumstances should you follow so-called “telephone instructions” from individuals claiming to represent banks, brokerage firms, investment companies, or law enforcement agencies regarding taking out loans, selling property, or transferring your funds to so-called secure accounts. Law-enforcement agencies do not carry out special operations via phone or video call;
- do not disclose your personal information, banking details, card expiration dates, CVV codes, transfer receipts, SMS codes, or security words to anyone —
- even if they claim to be bank employees, police officers, or other officials;
- do not install any mobile applications on your phone at the request of unauthorized individuals — such apps may grant fraudsters access to your device;
- when purchasing goods or services, never share your personal data with unknown or unverified websites or platforms. Never make an advance payment before verifying the offer and the seller. Whenever possible, negotiate payment to be made upon receipt of the goods;
- do not invest money in questionable or unverified investment projects. Before investing, it's essential to thoroughly research the stock market and verify the legitimacy of the specific project you're considering;
- when installing apps, use only official platforms like the App Store or Google Play to ensure safety and authenticity;
- never click on payment links received via spam emails, unknown contacts, or suspicious pop-up windows. Scammers often ask victims to click on payment links that are actually phishing attempts;
- do not trust calls from cellular company representatives claiming your subscriber number is expiring and offering to renew the service online. They also ask you to provide the SMS code you receive, which they later use to authorize themselves in applications;
- regularly change your passwords for banking services and utilize other security features provided by your bank;
- check your account transactions regularly;
- it is important to educate elderly relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances about common fraud tactics and teach them to avoid talking to scammers, to hang up, and to call their family for help. If an elderly individual receives pension payments on a bank card, consider offering assistance in withdrawing the funds or arranging for a relative to manage the card on their behalf. In many cases, when scammers contact elderly people, their accomplices are nearby—either at the elderly person’s residence or in the building entrance. If you receive a fraudulent call, you must report it to the police immediately;
- to prevent fraud, we also recommend not sharing mobile numbers linked to personal data online, avoiding listing your phone number on social media profiles, and refraining from displaying your full name, address, or other personal information alongside your phone number in online advertisements. Avoid using mobile phone numbers on the Internet if they are connected to your bank cards or used for accessing mobile banking applications.
- scammers use cell phones to send SMS messages and messages through Telegram, WhatsApp, and other messengers containing malicious content.
Examples of scam messages include: "Here are our photos http://...", "Your account and page have been hacked, register at http://...", and "You won a car, details at http://...". A new type of scam message contains a malicious link and may say: "Regarding your ad, would you agree to exchange for this? http://..."
Upon receiving such a message, do not follow the link or click on any included links. If possible, check whether there is any information about these links and potential fraud in search engines. Warn other Internet users that the link is fraudulent. Delete the message if you are sure it has not harmed your device.
What actions to take if you’ve been scammed
In the event that you’ve been scammed:
- if you or your loved ones are in contact with scammers, you must immediately cease all communication and refrain from carrying out any financial transactions;
- immediately report the offense to the police by calling 102 or contacting the nearest police department or station;
- call the customer service center of the bank from which the money was stolen or where the loan was fraudulently issued;
- in case you’ve disclosed your bank card information to scammers, contact your bank without delay and have the cards blocked;
- if you’ve shared an SMS verification code with scammers, promptly enable the ‘online loan restriction’ feature in e-Gov or e-Gov mobile app;
- take screenshots and save all correspondence, call logs (incoming and outgoing), payment receipts, and any other information that may serve as evidence during the investigation;
- if messages requesting financial assistance are being sent on your behalf, you should log out of all connected devices through the mobile app of the social media from which the messages are being sent and find a way to inform your contacts that your account has been hacked.
