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.
Financial security
How to recognise scammers, phishing and pyramid schemes, protect your cards and accounts, and what to do if money has already been stolen.
Articles
How to protect your money from scammers
Most card thefts today happen not because a bank was hacked but because the person shared their details or confirmed a transaction themselves. Scammers play on fear and haste, so the best protection is a few simple rules you know in advance.
- 1Block the cardIn your banking app, right away
- 2Tell the bankAsk to dispute the transaction
- 3Change passwordsAnd delete any app you installed on request
- 4Report to policeticket.cyberpolice.gov.ua or a police station
Basic rules
- Never give anyone your CVV, PIN, SMS codes or passwords, whoever is calling.
- Don't trust the number on your screen: it can be faked. Call the bank yourself using the number on your card.
- Don't move money to “safe” accounts and don't install apps at the caller's request.
- Keep large sums separate from the card you use for daily shopping and set transfer limits.
A detailed breakdown of the schemes and a step-by-step plan are in our article “A call from the bank security service”.
FAQ
Can a bank ask for an SMS code or my CVV?
No. Genuine employees of banks and government agencies never ask for your CVV, PIN, one-time SMS passwords or online banking login details. If someone asks for them, it is a scam, even if the bank's number is on your screen.
What should I do if money has already been stolen?
Block the card in your banking app at once, report the fraudulent transaction to the bank, change your passwords and file a report with the Ukrainian cyber police at ticket.cyberpolice.gov.ua. The faster you act, the better the chance of stopping the transfer.
How can I protect elderly parents from phone scammers?
Agree on one simple rule: no codes and no transfers because of a phone call; call you first. Help them set transfer limits and transaction notifications in their banking app.