How to protect yourself from scammers who promise financial assistance from the UN

Recently, Ukrainians began receiving messages regarding financial support from the UN for every citizen of Ukraine. Many people, wanting to take advantage of this opportunity, followed the specified links, filled out questionnaires, and, in the process of entering bank details, became victims of fraud.

According to Andriy Parkhomenko, police captain and head of the 9th department of the Cybercrime Countermeasures Department in Kyiv, such fraudulent schemes resemble ordinary phishing—a method of social engineering in which criminals lure users into giving their data by disguising their actions as those of state or financial institutions.

“Having received a message about financial assistance from organizations, you should check the reliability of the information because a request to enter personal data can be the first sign of fraud,” Parkhomenko notes.

The expert advises against delay and against succumbing to the temptation to follow suspicious links, even if they appear legitimate. It is essential to remember that all government programs and assistance should be accessed through official channels. In the event of doubts or concerns regarding requests for personal data, it is advisable to contact the police.

Practical recommendations from the cyber police to protect against phishing attacks:

Information should be obtained only from official sources. It is essential to verify the accuracy of messages regarding the provision of financial assistance.
If you accidentally provided personal data, immediately block your card at the bank. Contact the financial institution as soon as possible to stop possible economic losses.
Report fraud to law enforcement. If you suspect that you have become a victim of such a scheme, do not hesitate to report it to the police.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links. Fraudsters often use fake links or chatbots to collect confidential information.
Never give your data to third parties. Avoid transferring card data, passwords, and logins on unmaintained resources.

It is worth noting that the Cyber Police of Ukraine is implementing the social project “BRAMA,” which helps to combat disinformation and cybercrime. Everyone can join the initiative by reporting dangerous content and helping to block fake information.

This project enables anyone to join the fight against disinformation by simply dedicating a small amount of time to filing complaints about harmful content. The more complaints are received, the more effectively the information space will be protected.