Financial security
A call from the “bank security service”: how to spot the scam
Four signs that give a scammer away even when your bank's number is on the screen, and a step-by-step plan if you have already shared your details.
Social engineering: what it means
Social engineering is psychological manipulation in which people hand fraudsters money, codes or data themselves after believing a cover story.
Social engineering is a type of fraud in which criminals work through a person rather than through technology: they persuade the victim to reveal card details, SMS codes or a password, install an app or transfer money. To do this they use a cover story that triggers fear, haste, trust or the wish to earn quickly: a call from the «bank's security service», a «state payout», an «investment with guaranteed income».
According to the NBU, in 2025 social engineering accounted for 90% of losses from payment card fraud in Ukraine. Banking systems are well protected, so fraudsters target customers' behaviour.
The best defence is a few fixed rules: never tell anyone your CVV, PIN or SMS codes, hang up and call back on the official number, do not install apps at strangers' request, and put off any urgent financial decision for at least a day.
In detail, with examples: A call from the “bank security service”: how to spot the scam
Related terms
Phishing Ponzi scheme Money mule
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